After his own experience with loss, a North Benton man is giving Akron Children's Hospital Beeghly Campus a generous donation in support of mental health programs.

With the rising concern over mental health in children, doctors say this money will assist thousands of struggling children throughout the Mahoning Valley.

Christopher Thompson lost his son, Teegan Kamzelski to suicide in May of 2017.

"I could either let this problem plague me, my community, and those that could in the future be impacted by this, or I could take a step in solving a problem," Thompson told 21 News. 

Thompson created the Teegan Kamzelski Humanitarian Initiative, raising over $30,000 to spread awareness of depression and it's impact on people's minds.

But, Thompson wanted to do even more. After touring Akron Children's Main Branch and seeing the mental health services they offer, he's giving $1 million to The Behavioral Health Center in Boardman to help the Mahoning Valley's struggling youth.

The center is dedicated to his son, with the lettering "Teegan Kamzelski Building" on the front of the building. 

"If I could, I would donate $5 million," Thompson said. "This cause is going to skyrocket. It's not going away."

Dr. Laura Gerak, Clinical Director of Psychology for Akron Children's said they're seeing an increase of mental health concerns in children and added this will substantially help the Mahoning Valley's youth.

"What we're seeing now over the last few months and with the last 6 months perspective, is the increase in intensity and acuity," Gerak told 21 News. 

Dr. Gerak said they've seen a substantial rise in generalized anxiety and anxiety related to safety throughout the pandemic.

She said treatment center's like the Teegan Kamzelski Building help children acknowledge their mental health and learn how to cope.

"Assessing what's typical reaction and understanding that," Gerak explained. "We call it a tool box, building skills to navigate through the stressers."

"I chose to take a negative situation in my life and turn it positive," Thompson said. "That positivity, hopefully, will prevent someone else from having to go through this pain."

View a list of mental health resources here:

  • National Suicide Hotline 1-800-843-2755
  • Text 4HOPE to 741-741
  • The Trevor Project Crisis Support for LGBTQ+ Youth 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
  • Akron Children’s Psychiatric Emergency Response Intake Center (located in the Emergency Room) through age 18

If you wish to contribute to the Teegan Kamzelski Building at Akron Children's Mahoning Valley Campus, click here.