SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah is seeing a sharp rise in mental health crises among children and teens. A new facility is opening in hopes of combating that.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute will open a child-focused walk-in crisis care program Monday, July 28 at their main facility at 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT. Kids ages 5 to 17 years old can use the services alongside their family.
“When my child was in crisis, when anyone’s child is in crisis, you are in crisis also,” said parent Karen Brittian. “Because your brain can’t work at its best.”
Brittian is a member of the Family and Patient Advisory Council at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
She says a walk-in facility like this one at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute for kids and teens makes a big difference in families’ lives.
“It allows you to get help when you need it,” Brittian said. “You can just trust your gut and just go.”
At a time when emergency departments are overwhelmed, crisis programs like this are needed, says Brett Graham, the interim CEO of Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
“It’s intended to be a place where parents or youth themselves or maybe first responders can bring a youth who is in some type of crisis that needs stabilization and a care program going forward,” Graham said.
Twelve recliners are available for young patients.
Administrators expect the demand to be significant.
“We expect to be up to capacity within the first three months,” Graham said. “Probably serving four or more thousand adolescents within the first year of operation.”
Graham says they can be flexible by using other facilities to accommodate kids and young adults if needed.
Both Graham and Brittian say parents typically can sense when things are off with their child, and it’s okay to reach out for help.
“My hope is that parents won’t feel alone and isolated.”
Walk-in care is available for kids ages five to seventeen, twenty-four hours, seven days a week.
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