The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI), which is affiliated with the University of Utah, has announced a $5 million gift from Kem and Carolyn Gardner to establish the Mental Health Crisis Care Center, which is expected to open in 2024. 

When complete, the center will include a 30-bed receiving center; short-term, rapid stabilization inpatient treatment in the 24-bed acute care unit; and a medication-assisted treatment clinic for individuals with opiate use disorders. Researchers will work alongside clinicians, patients, and their families to develop evidence-based best practices for treatment and care as well as new approaches to helping people. The center also will serve as a site for training future crisis care professionals, including social workers, nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

The 78,000-square-feet center, which will named after the couple, is the first building on the future site of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute Campus of Hope. To date, HMHI has raised a total of $47 million toward the $50 million campus project, with funds from state and county governments as well as the Gardners and other philanthropists.

“Utah has the highest prevalence of mental illness in the country, impacting every family at some point,” said Kem Gardner, chairman of Gardner Company. “We have 30 grandchildren and have not known where to go or what treatment options are available when some of them have struggled. We have to do something different and find better ways to treat youth and adults. This center is so needed in our state. Carolyn and I are pleased to join the university, state legislature, Salt Lake County, and the Huntsman family in this important effort.” 

“We’re building a crisis care center that integrates training, research, and clinical care into one entity so that we are always evaluating and learning about the best approaches to treatment and creating new models of care,” said HMHI chief executive Mark H. Rapaport. “The Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center is a forward-thinking concept, and what we are building is not being done anywhere else.” 

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/sshepard)