Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah Launches Youth Crisis Care Program

SALT LAKE CITY, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah today launched a specialized 24/7 crisis stabilization program designed exclusively for children and adolescents experiencing mental health emergencies. The Youth Crisis Care program provides immediate walk-in access to specialized care for youth ages 5-17, addressing a critical service gap in a state where the suicide rate ranks among the nation's top 10.

The new program, backed by generous gifts from several donors, represents a significant expansion of crisis care services in Utah, providing access to specialized mental health support for youth. The program, located at 501 Chipeta Way on the first floor of Huntsman Mental Health Institute, can accommodate up to 12 patients on a rolling admission basis. The care team evaluates each individual, with some only staying a few hours and others receiving up to 23 hours of stabilization care before being discharged or recommended for admission to the hospital or a more comprehensive program for further care. Unlike traditional emergency rooms, which often lack appropriate space and resources for youth mental health crises, the Youth Crisis Care program is purpose-built for children and teens.

Nearly half of our youth in Utah are reporting experiencing mental health challenges, making judicious access to behavioral health care and crisis care essential for the well-being of our young population. 

"Dedicated services uniquely tailored to youth and families are critical," said David Eldredge, Executive Director, Huntsman Mental Health Institute. "By establishing the Youth Crisis Care program at Huntsman Mental Health Institute, we're aiming to meet this growing demand with a trauma-informed, child-centered approach that relieves pressure on emergency departments and helps families access timely, compassionate mental health support in moments of crisis."

Addressing a Growing Crisis

Emergency departments across the state have reported feeling overwhelmed by the number of youth presenting with mental health concerns, noting how they often lack dedicated space or resources to provide age-appropriate care. In 2024 alone, Huntsman Mental Health Institute treated nearly 3,000 individual youth patients in its inpatient program, with 4,450 total visits.

The Youth Crisis Care program addresses the gap between outpatient therapy and inpatient psychiatric care. Developed through comprehensive data analysis, extensive community input, and insights from frontline clinical staff, the program provides immediate intervention for young people facing urgent mental health crises that do not require hospitalization. While some adolescents will be referred to inpatient programs, the majority of youth treated at the program will be able to return home with outreach support and a comprehensive safety and follow-up care plan.

A Youth-Centered Approach

Unlike traditional emergency rooms, the Youth Crisis Care program is designed specifically for children and teens experiencing mental health crises and offers a calm environment that prioritizes emotional safety, privacy, and compassionate care from the moment of entry.

The program is staffed 24/7 by a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team that includes a medical director, child and adolescent psychiatrists, advanced practice clinicians, social workers, crisis workers, certified peer support specialists, nurses, and psychiatric technicians. Care begins immediately upon arrival with an assessment by a clinical social worker. Following this initial evaluation, the youth will receive a range of support tailored to their needs, including access to community resources, the creation of personalized safety plans, brief therapeutic interventions, opportunities to connect with certified peer specialists, and medication evaluations when necessary.

"The new Youth Crisis Care program is the first step in what we expect to be a much broader effort to transform how we treat and research youth mental health," said Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. "We are excited for the life-saving care this program will provide for our youth."

Supporting Families Through Crisis

Mental health crises impact more than just the individual. The center actively involves families throughout the care process. The program has a designated waiting area, and the clinical care team keeps families informed and involved in care planning to help coordinate next steps and support after discharge.

Warning Signs of Youth Mental Health Crisis

If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988, or visit the Huntsman Mental Health Institute Youth Crisis Care program at 501 Chipeta Way, 1st Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84018. Parents and caregivers should seek immediate help if a child or adolescent exhibits:

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Severe mood changes lasting days or weeks
• Dangerous behaviors, including aggression or violence
• Extreme anxiety, panic, or withdrawal from family and friends
• Depression
• Trauma-related issues
• Confusion, disorientation, or unusual behaviors

About Huntsman Mental Health Institute

Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah is a first-of-its-kind model created to address one of our nation's greatest challenges: mental health and substance use disorders. The institute combines the strength of one of America's leading research universities with the nation's best integrated mental health crisis care model and a comprehensive continuum of care that includes a 161-bed hospital and more than 85 outpatient locations. We educate hundreds of learners every year and provide both unique and wide-ranging educational opportunities in psychiatry and mental health. Our innovative approach to research uses "teams of teams" to bring together different disciplines to uncover new ways to tackle complex problems. A gift of $150 million from the Huntsman family helps power our mission to advance mental health knowledge, hope, and healing for all. Learn more at: healthcare.utah.edu/HMHI and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Huntsman Mental Health Institute