Muranskys Give $1 Million for Youth Mental Health
Ed and Chris Muransky's gift to Akron Children's Hospital will support mental health services across the Mahoning Valley.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Ed and Chris Muransky have donated $1 million to Akron Children's Hospital to support mental health services for young people. The gift will support the Mahoning Valley Behavioral Health Initiative, a five-year effort across ten Valley locations.
Why it matters
Demand for behavioral health care is growing, particularly in the Mahoning Valley, and the donation aims to expand access to treatment for children. Ed Muransky said he hopes the gift will help young people get care and reach families who did not previously know those options existed.
The $1 million gift is set against more than 15,000 behavioral health outpatient visits Akron Children's Hospital reported last year, with no prior-year comparison given. How the funds will be divided among the ten Valley locations over the five-year initiative has not been detailed.
The players
Akron Children's Hospital
A pediatric hospital in Akron, Ohio, that treats children and adolescents across the region and reported more than 15,000 behavioral health outpatient visits last year.
Sonar Mental Health
A youth mental health provider offering a 24-hour chat service with trained wellbeing coaches as well as intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
The details
The gift supports Sonar Mental Health, which offers a 24-hour chat service for adolescents ages 13 and up to speak with trained wellbeing coaches, along with intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs for youth.
Timeline
Last year: Akron Children's Hospital reported more than 15,000 behavioral health outpatient visits.
The Mahoning Valley Behavioral Health Initiative runs for five years.
Market Landscape
The Mahoning Valley Behavioral Health Initiative is a five-year, ten-location effort to widen access to mental health care for youth in the region. This gift places private philanthropic funding alongside the hospital's existing outpatient behavioral health services, which saw more than 15,000 visits last year.
Families in the Mahoning Valley may gain access to youth mental health options, including 24-hour chat support for teens 13 and older and outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. The initiative's ten locations give families across the region more places to seek care.
The takeaway
Mental health support for young people is increasingly available through a mix of hospital services, digital chat options, and intensive programs. Families who are unsure where to start can ask their pediatrician or a local hospital about the options offered in their area.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage to see how other donors are funding local health and community needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKBN.
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