Utah family donates $10 million to support youth mental health

Utah family donates $10 million to support youth mental health


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Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah family is making a major investment in youth mental health. The Huntsman Mental Health Foundation announced a $10 million gift from siblings Gregg Savage, Melissa Layton and Emilee Savage Wright, made in honor of their parents, the late Neal and Sherrie Savage.

Neal Savage was a University of Utah alumni and played basketball at the school. Both he and his wife were known for their volunteer work in the community.

“Our parents left a legacy of generosity and giving,” Gregg Savage said. “We hope to continue that legacy through helping the next generation overcome the mental health challenges local families are facing today. We appreciate the Huntsman family’s leadership in this area and the opportunity to partner with them in this effort."

The Savages have seen firsthand how mental health struggles can impact youth and young adults. Gregg's son, Ammon, shared his experience in a KSL TV documentary, "Breaking Barriers."

BACK ROW, Left to Right: Taylor Randall, President, University of Utah; Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation; Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health FRONT ROW: Siblings Melissa Layton, Gregg Savage, and Emilee Savage Wright sign letters of intent for their $10 million gift. (Huntsman Mental Health Foundation)
BACK ROW, Left to Right: Taylor Randall, President, University of Utah; Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation; Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health FRONT ROW: Siblings Melissa Layton, Gregg Savage, and Emilee Savage Wright sign letters of intent for their $10 million gift. (Huntsman Mental Health Foundation)

The donation will help expand youth mental health care, programs and resources statewide. Foundation leaders will release more details in the coming months and note that the support comes at a critical time, as demand for youth mental health services continues to grow. “From one family to another, we want the Savages to know just how much their gift means to families in Utah who are desperate for more options when their children are struggling,” said Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO of Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. “Their support will help more of our youth in Utah get the help they need, and we are so grateful to have them join us in this effort." Read the full press release here.  

Related: How to help your student tackle anxiety as they head back to school

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Emma Benson, KSLEmma Benson
Emma Benson joined the KSL team in October 2023. A native of Salt Lake City, she’s happy to be back home in the Beehive State. Before joining KSL, Emma worked in Idaho Falls, Idaho at the dual CBS/ABC affiliate, where she anchored the morning show as well as produced and anchored the noon show, and reported on the side. She interviewed the governor multiple times, covered the Lori Vallow trial and the University of Idaho murders, interviewed Ukrainian refugees, and covered several live events. Emma is excited to be primarily covering health/medical stories, including producing the weekly “Your Life Your Health” segment. Emma graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism. During her time at BYU, she was a reporter for the student newspaper, the Daily Universe, and worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for Newsline, an award-winning student-produced newscast. When she’s not reporting, Emma enjoys playing pickleball, traveling (16 countries and counting!), and country swing dancing.
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