Summit Gala

Save the Date
March 22^nd, 2025
The Hotel at Avalon

About Our Keynote Speaker

Erin Harlow-Parker, APRN, PMHCNS-BC

Erin serves as the Manager of Child Advocacy Programs, Behavioral Mental Health, at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and is actively involved in suicide prevention efforts at the state level. In 2018, Erin received the Institute for Healthcare Improvement/National Patient Safety Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

In January of 2022, Erin’s husband of 32 years, and prominent Atlanta businessperson, died by suicide. Since then, she has made it her mission to change the narrative on suicide. Erin’s speaking engagements focus on suicide awareness and prevention, with the purpose of educating, decreasing stigma, and increasing help seeking behavior.

Erin, has worked in the field of psychiatry for more than 35 years. She received her BSN from Rhode Island College and her MSN from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Her practice areas have included inpatient, outpatient, consult psychiatry and behavioral and mental health illness prevention work. Her passions include suicide prevention, treating patients with eating disorders, and reducing mental health stigma. Erin has done countless presentations on suicide prevention, building resilience, and eating disorders to a wide variety of audiences.

Highlights from the 2024 Summit Gala

In Unity We Flourish: Supporting Our Community

On Saturday, February 24th, over five hundred community leaders and Summit supporters gathered to celebrate the joy of generosity, a passion for community, and a commitment to support mental wellness at the Summit Counseling Center’s 9th Annual Summit Gala held at The Hotel at Avalon.

The evening’s festivities included a VIP reception, silent auction, live auction, and fund-a-need, which collectively raised over $825,000 to support the Summit’s cause.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr opened the event with an update on Georgia’s mental health initiatives and the work being done by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities at the state level.

Renowned TV journalist, Shyann Malone, served as the emcee for the evening. She led a fireside chat with esteemed community leaders, including:

Lester Archambeau, Senior Player Director, NFL Players Association
Javis Austin, Former Running Back, Clemson University
Mercedez Jackson, Coordinator of School Social Workers, Fulton County Schools
Nikeisha Whatley-Leon, System Director of Behavioral Health Services, Northside Hospital
Will Atkins, Director of Operations and Clinical Services, Summit Counseling Center

Lester Archambau, Javis Austin, Nikeisha Whatley-Leon, Mercedez Jackson, Will Atkins

In addition to their generous contribution as the Presenting Sponsor, The Will to Live Foundation made a $5,000 donation to The Summit on behalf of our First Annual Summit Life Teammate Awardee, Madeline Redetzky. Voted on by her peers, Ms. Redetzky embodies the true spirit of a teammate, serving as a mentor to her team, ambassador of mental well-being, and an advocate for her clients.

2024 Gala Photo Gallery

Mental health affects us all, and seeking help is a sign of strength. The funds raised at this year’s gala will help The Summit continue to advocate for mental awareness, reduce stigma, and promote well-being.

1. Prevalence: Approximately 21% of U.S. adults (equivalent to 52.9 million people) experience a mental health condition annually. This highlights the widespread impact of mental health issues.

2. Youth and Suicide: Tragically, suicide is the second leading cause of death for U.S. children aged 10 to 14, surpassed only by unintentional injuries. This underscores the urgency of mental health support and prevention efforts for young individuals.

3. Young Adults: Young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of experiencing mental health conditions annually (30.6%). Close behind are those aged 26 to 49 (25.3%). Early intervention and accessible mental health services are critical during these formative years.

4. Emergency Room Visits: One out of every eight emergency room visits involves a mental health or substance abuse disorder. Timely access to care and proper resources can help reduce the strain on emergency services.

5. Economic Impact: Severe mental health conditions result in a staggering annual cost of $193.2 billion to the U.S. economy. Investing in mental health services can lead to better outcomes and economic savings.