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New facility in South Salt Lake provides immediate, compassionate care for adults in crisis
In the depths of night, stress can feel unbearable — whether it's financial strain, family tensions, or a problem you can't fix. Mental health emergencies take many forms, but access to immediate support can make all the difference.
A new University of Utah Health facility aims to provide that lifeline, offering urgent help for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Kem and Carolyn Gardner Crisis Care Center, located at 955 West 3300 South in South Salt Lake, is a newly established 82,000-square-foot facility offering 24/7 walk-in services for adults experiencing mental health or substance use crises. The $64 million facility is designed to revolutionize how the state responds to mental health emergencies.
"The Crisis Care Center project started as a dream for those of us in mental health care," says Kevin Curtis, LCSW, director of hospital crisis services at Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah. "Whenever someone is in a place mentally where they feel like they're at a breaking point or they just can't do it anymore, we want them to get help and support."
The need for this kind of care is urgent. Utah currently has the seventh-highest suicide rate in the nation, with 20.9 deaths per 100,000 people. The new facility is projected to serve more than 9,600 patients annually in its first phase.
Bringing the vision to life required collaboration, as Huntsman Mental Health Institute leaders partnered with FFKR Architects to gather insights from care providers, first responders, former patients, families and other community voices.
With additional support from philanthropic donors and local and state leaders, this feedback shaped a unique, patient- and family-centered facility designed to meet real-world needs while reducing stigma and promoting healing, dignity and accessibility.
"When designing the new crisis care center, we started by asking our community what they needed," says Curtis, who serves as the clinical operations director of the new Crisis Care Center. "This is not our building. This is everyone's building."
Compassionate, comprehensive crisis support
The Crisis Care Center provides specialized support from trained mental health professionals, such as licensed psychiatrists, social workers and advanced practice nurses. Services include psychiatric assessment and basic medical screening, crisis management therapy, medication management and recovery and discharge planning.
The vast majority of people come in, receive support, and report feeling better. Then, we're able to get them back out with connections that can continue to help them.
–Kevin Curtis, LCSW
"A crisis center is really designed to be flexible and focus on working with the person to come up with the best care pathway for them," Curtis says. "The vast majority of people come in, receive support, and report feeling better. Then, we're able to get them back out with connections that can continue to help them."
The new center triples the capacity of the institute's previous adult walk-in facility and includes a 24-bed inpatient acute care unit. The facility also provides outpatient treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, medication-assisted treatment for chemical dependency, and access to legal and dental care services through community partnerships.
In addition to clinical care, the space itself is designed to promote healing. Guests have access to private areas for quiet reflection, as well as outdoor spaces where they can connect with nature.
"We want our guests to feel supported from the moment they enter the building," Curtis says. "We worked hard on the physical surroundings, but more importantly, we've designed our programming and supplemental services to meet the ever-changing needs of our community."
That includes music and art therapy, peer-led support and trauma-informed group services that address the underlying causes of crisis. Guests can receive help with dental care, legal issues, and substance use — all factors that can contribute to feelings of despair and isolation.
Recognizing and supporting a mental health crisis
Mental health crises can take many forms and vary greatly from person to person. Recognizing the signs in yourself or a loved one can be the first step toward getting help. Common warning signs include:
- Difficulty or inability to complete daily tasks.
- Mood swings or outbursts.
- Withdrawal or isolation.
- Difficulty keeping up with personal hygiene.
- Losing interest in things they usually enjoy.
- Feelings of hopelessness or intense sadness.
- Panic attacks.
- Having thoughts of harming themselves or others.
"The circumstances that get people to a point of crisis can vary because we all have different resiliency levels and abilities to deal with setbacks or unplanned stressors," Curtis says.
While the Crisis Care Center can handle a wide range of urgent mental health concerns, Curtis emphasizes that there are times when the emergency room is still the best option — particularly in cases of drug overdose, physical injury or urgent medical needs.
Support from family and friends can be invaluable. Rather than offering quick fixes, Curtis advises simply being present.
"Validate the person's feelings and experiences by simply telling them you are there for them," Curtis says.
For immediate help, call 988, a free and confidential mental health crisis line available 24/7. The trained counselors can help individuals in crisis and also guide family members through difficult decisions.
"It is a powerful thing to sit with a person in silence and provide space for them to just feel like they're loved by someone," Curtis says.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis and there is no immediate medical emergency, call 988 or walk into the Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Care Center, located at 955 W 3300 S, South Salt Lake. Help is available 24 hours a day, sevendays a week — no appointment needed.
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