Hope and Will: A Parenting Podcast from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Changing the Narrative on Suicide: The Parker Family’s Story

Episode Summary

Erin had worked in mental health for decades when her husband, Jeff Parker, died by suicide. Now she’s on a mission to reduce the stigma.

Episode Notes

In January 2022, Erin Harlow-Parker and her family were thrust into headlines when her husband, Jeff Parker, died by suicide. At the time, Jeff was the CEO of MARTA, a well-respected businessman, father, partner and friend. He had been married to Erin for more than 30 years. Erin, an advanced practice registered nurse specializing in pediatric mental health and beloved member of the Children’s Strong4Life team, shares her family's story as part of her and her daughters’ crusade to talk openly about mental health, mental illness and suicide.

The Parkers hope listeners will leave the episode:

  1. Understanding that suicide can happen to any family.
  2. Encouraged to stop seeing feelings of sadness, anger and anxiety as a sign of weakness.
  3. Empowered to talk openly about both mental health and mental illness. The only way to reduce the stigma related to mental illness is to talk about it and not see it as someone’s fault.
  4. Inspired to use Strong4Life’s Raising Resilience tips and tools to proactively build resilience in kids, starting at birth.

For more about this episode and our podcast, visit www.choa.org/podcasts.

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This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be considered medical advice for any particular patient. Clinicians must rely on their own informed clinical judgments when making recommendations for their patients. Patients in need of medical or behavioral advice should consult their family healthcare providers. In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department. Product mentions are not endorsements.