Cumming Mental Health Community Event & Forum
The Weight We All Carry
A candid, community-wide conversation about the youth mental health crisis — and the collective courage it takes to respond.
Anonymous · about 2 minutes · for students and parents
The Weight We All Carry
Meet Our Panel
Matt Meyer
Program Director, The Insight Program
Matt Meyer moved to north Georgia with his wife in 2007. Matt has been in long-term recovery since 1998. Due to his own experience with addiction, beginning recovery at age 19, he has dedicated his life to working with young people who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. Matt has helped hundreds of families over the years begin the recovery process. Throughout Matt's career as a drug abuse counselor, he has shared his experience with schools, churches and communities. Currently, Matt is the Program Director for the Insight Program in Roswell. Matt and his wife Jessica have three children and live in the Cumming area.
Shumayl Farooq, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Shumayl Farooq, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Live Life Counseling and Founder of Sheema's Counseling, LLC, holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She has extensive clinical experience providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Throughout her career, Shumayl has worked in a variety of clinical settings, supporting individuals and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral challenges, relationships, addiction, crisis situations, and life transitions. Shumayl takes a compassionate, strength-based, and client-centered approach, integrating evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, trauma-focused interventions, and Brainspotting. She is passionate about fostering open and meaningful conversations around mental health, reducing stigma, and helping individuals and families build resilience, develop healthy coping skills, and move toward meaningful and lasting change.
Susan Sabo
Mental Health Facilitator, Forsyth County Schools
Susan Sabo is the Mental Health Facilitator for Forsyth County Schools and a practicing private therapist in Cumming, GA. Susan has held previous positions as a Professional School Counselor in Forsyth County Schools serving the communities of Vickery Creek and Liberty Middle Schools from 2011–2023. Susan is dedicated to holding our mental health community to high standards when treating our youth and ensuring quality access to services regardless of a family's ability to pay. In her private practice capacity, Susan sees clients for anxiety, depression, relationship, and family issues.
Drew Hayes
Principal, Academies of Creative Education (ACE)
Drew Hayes is the principal of the Academies of Creative Education (ACE) in Forsyth County Schools. He began providing Drug Counseling at ACE 9 years ago. He currently supervises 3 Substance Abuse Coaches who serve High School students throughout the county. Drew was the Georgia Alternative Education Principal of the Year in 2025. He serves on the boards of the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council and the Georgia Association for Alternative Education. Drew is married to the love of his life, Jen. They have four children Ty 16, Arlie 12, Scott 10, and Castor 6. Scott and Castor were officially adopted 2 years ago. Jen is currently heroically battling breast and ductal cancer. All family members are active at Browns Bridge Church.
Keith Welton
Ministry and community
Keith is originally from Macon, Georgia, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and his master's from Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in ministry since 2000, and that has taken him from Knoxville to Orlando to Washington, DC, Durham and finally Alpharetta. Keith is married to Amanda, and together they have four children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, outdoor activities, and smoking large slabs of meat.
Resource Guide
Everything shared at this event — in one place. Explore these trusted resources to keep the conversation going at home.
Event Partners
Pathways2Life
Rethinking Prevention — a community-focused organization dedicated to youth mental health and substance misuse prevention.
Trusted Sources
Faith-centered family ministry equipping parents, teens, and churches to strengthen families before crisis hits.
SOAR Family
Supporting families with practical tools and resources for navigating life's challenges together.
Event Vendors & Community Partners
Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council
A student-led group working with the Council to make substance-use prevention relevant and accessible, including cannabis research, an interactive brain and body model, and community outreach.
Safe Passage
Education on grooming, exploitation, and trafficking, plus a trauma-informed, long-term youth mentorship program, safety planning, and ways to partner or volunteer.
Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy
Marijuana education, prevention, and policy.
Emory Johns Creek Hospital
Hospital services and community education, including emergency services, orthopaedics, robotic surgery, and labor & delivery.
Al-Anon
Free support for family and friends of those affected by alcoholism and addiction.
Path to Change, LLC
Counseling practice and Path to Hope, a nonprofit making counseling affordable for people who have experienced trauma and/or systemic challenges.
Prodigal Child Ministries
Free support for parents and siblings who love someone battling addiction or a mental health condition: virtual and in-person groups, a sibling support group, retreats, and recovery events.
Sawnee Optimist Club of Cumming
A local service club impacting youth and the community through events and programs.
The Anxious Generation
The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt's research and resources on how smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood and adolescent mental health.
Parent Action Plan (Canva Guide)
A practical, downloadable action guide for parents navigating the digital age and protecting their children's mental health.
Can't Look Away — Film
A documentary exploring the impact of social media on youth mental health. Watch online through JOLT Film.
Mental Health Resources
The Insight Program
Specialized outpatient treatment for adolescent and young adult substance use disorders, with family support at the core.
Operation Parent
Equipping parents with tools, training, and community to help raise healthy, resilient kids in today's world.
WHO: Social Connection & Health
World Health Organization report linking social connection to improved health outcomes and reduced risk of early death — affecting more than 871,000 deaths annually.
Digital Wellness & Social Media
Jonathan Haidt — The Evidence (Research Database)
Comprehensive peer-reviewed research on the connection between social media and the teen mental health crisis.
Harvard: How to Calm The Anxious Generation
Expert insights from Harvard on addressing the youth mental health crisis tied to smartphones and social media.
Jonathan Haidt — Landmark Social Media Research (Video)
In-depth talk on the connection between smartphones, social media, and the teen mental health crisis.
Mayo Clinic: Teens and Social Media Use
Medical perspective on healthy and unhealthy effects of social media on adolescent development.
PBS: The Effects of Social Media on Teens' Mental Health
Documentary-style exploration of the mental health crisis affecting today's young people.
Screenagers: Parenting in the Digital Age
Documentary and practical parenting resources on healthy tech balance and digital literacy.
Crisis & Immediate Help
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7. Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources.
Text4Help — Fulton County Students
Fulton County Schools' confidential text-based support line for students in need. A safe way to ask for help.
You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone.
Trusted Sources and Pathways2Life are here to walk alongside your family.
Crisis help available 24/7 — Call or Text 988