Huntsman Mental Health Institute Launches Youth Crisis Care Center in Salt Lake City

New Youth Crisis Care Center Aims to Fill Critical Gap in Mental Health Services

On Monday, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute hosted an open house for its newly launched walk-in Youth Crisis Care Center, which will officially open on July 28. This facility is designed to provide immediate support for children and teens experiencing mental health emergencies, offering a critical resource in a state where suicide rates rank among the nation’s top 10.

Natalie McClintock, LCSW and Behavioral Health Science Manager for the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, spoke with reporters and described the purpose of the new center. “It’s going to be a place for youth and their families to come and meet with professionals for youth that are in crisis and be connected with a continuum of care,” she explained. The center serves as a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care, allowing for further evaluation and observation to determine the best next steps for each individual.

This initiative follows the opening of the Kem and Carolyn Mental Health Crisis Care Center in South Salt Lake in March, which caters to adults. The Youth Crisis Care Center will offer similar services but specifically for children aged 5 to 17. Located on the first floor of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the center will operate 24/7 and does not require prior appointments. Families can simply bring their child in, and staff will conduct an assessment and provide necessary care.

McClintock emphasized that the emergency room is not the ideal setting for psychiatric emergencies. “The ER is great for medical emergencies, it’s not great for psychiatric emergencies,” she said. “What we’re really trying to do is take away patients that don’t need to be in the ER and have them come here and get the actual crisis services that they need.”

According to a press release, emergency rooms across Utah have been overwhelmed by the increasing number of youths presenting with mental health concerns. In 2024, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute treated nearly 3,000 individual youth patients in their inpatient program. The new center aims to alleviate this burden by providing specialized care tailored to young individuals.

Youth who visit the Crisis Care Center will be met with a team of professionals, including providers, social workers, certified crisis workers, peer support specialists, and nursing staff. “They will get a wraparound care for evaluation, and the certified crisis worker will help with disposition planning in support with a social worker,” McClintock explained.

While the center is primarily intended for the Salt Lake County community, it will not turn anyone away, regardless of age or location. “We are seeing an increase in crisis across age ranges, and so we really want to make sure that we provide care for any age range,” McClintock said. “This will allow us to hit the youth population.”

The center has a capacity for 12 patients at one time, but it can assess and accommodate any number of patients at any given moment, with stays limited to up to 23 hours. McClintock stressed that no one will be turned away, regardless of the situation.

She expressed hope that the community becomes aware of this new service and utilizes it when needed. “If you’re concerned about a family member or your child, bring them in. We will assess, we will get them care, and we will direct next best steps,” she concluded.

Key Features of the Youth Crisis Care Center

• 24/7 Availability: Open around the clock for immediate assistance.
• No Appointment Needed: Families can walk in without prior scheduling.
• Comprehensive Team Approach: Includes providers, social workers, crisis workers, and more.
• Capacity for 12 Patients: With flexibility to handle additional cases as needed.
• Community-Focused: Designed to serve Salt Lake County, but open to all.

This new facility represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health needs of young people in the region, offering a safe, supportive environment for those in crisis.