A grant from The Hoover Foundation established a term chair at Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Canton. Pictured (from left): Chuck Hoover and Dr. Leilani Mahi.
Expanding behavioral health care remains a top priority for Akron Children’s.
In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health in response to rising rates of childhood mental health concerns, including suicide, a leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24.
To address this challenge, we’re integrating behavioral health into our primary care network and expanding access through telehealth. We’re also opening free-standing behavioral health centers in the region – bringing care closer to home for families.
Recently, local foundations came forward to help launch the efforts of two new centers – Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Canton and Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Mansfield. Grants from The Hoover Foundation and the S.N. and Ada Ford Fund established term chairs at each location, with funds supporting the work of staff as the centers grow.
“Helping individuals with mental health issues supports the patient, ultimately making a positive impact for the rest of their life,” said Marc Miller, board chair of the S.N. and Ada Ford Fund. “It also has the potential to improve the day-to-day experience of all family members connected to the patient.”
Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Mansfield opened in 2023.
Enhancing pediatric behavioral health in their hometowns
The Hoover Foundation Chair for Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Canton will support the work of Leilani Mahi, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist and regional director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
In addition to its ongoing support of our hospital during the last several decades, The Hoover Foundation also awarded a grant in 2019 toward the opening of Akron Children’s Health Center, North Canton.
The S.N. and Ada Ford Fund Chair for Akron Children’s Behavioral Health, Mansfield will bolster the efforts of staff at the center, as well.
“We view one of the biggest impacts of our grant as providing funds to outreach to the mental health community locally, and to fund special projects and initiatives at the discretion of the chairholder,” said Marc. “It also can help attract better talent to our local area. It can offer an incentive to someone who has the credentials to lead this facility to come to a smaller town.”
“Philanthropy will be the backbone to transform behavioral care delivery to children and adolescents,” said Eva Szigethy, director of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology and the Lois C. Orr Endowed Chair in Pediatric Psychiatry at Akron Children’s. “We have a lot of change that needs to happen. Donor support will help us study and track our efforts. It will help us address social determinants of health and care equity. It will help us have focused strategies in building programs in specific areas like trauma, autism, eating disorders and addictions, to name a few.
You can help the children who need behavioral support by donating to Akron Children’s –just click here!
