SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) \u2014 Utah is seeing a sharp rise in mental health crises among children and teens. A new facility is opening in hopes of combating that.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“When my child was in crisis, when anyone\u2019s child is in crisis, you are in crisis also,\u201d said parent Karen Brittian. \u201cBecause your brain can\u2019t work at its best.”<\/p>\n
Brittian is a member of the Family and Patient Advisory Council at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n
“It allows you to get help when you need it,\u201d Brittian said. \u201cYou can just trust your gut and just go.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Twelve recliners are available for young patients.<\/p>\n
Administrators expect the demand to be significant.<\/p>\n
“We expect to be up to capacity within the first three months,\u201d Graham said. \u201cProbably serving four or more thousand adolescents within the first year of operation.”<\/p>\n
Graham says they can be flexible by using other facilities to accommodate kids and young adults if needed.<\/p>\n
Both Graham and Brittian say parents typically can sense when things are off with their child, and it\u2019s okay to reach out for help.<\/p>\n
“My hope is that parents won\u2019t feel alone and isolated.”<\/p>\n
Walk-in care is available for kids ages five to seventeen, twenty-four hours, seven days a week.<\/p>\n
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