The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation have broken ground on a new research building in Utah, US.
This Utah Translational Research Building is intended to focus on improving mental healthcare as well as studying mental health.
It is expected to be a place for researchers and experts from different fields such as science, artificial intelligence, and public policy to work together to find solutions for mental health problems, including suicide and mental health issues in young people and rural areas.
In addition, this 185,000ft², multi-storey construction will accommodate a 7 Tesla MRI machine for brain research.
It will be a hub for top researchers, doctors, and educators to learn more about the brain.
Slated to open in 2026, the project has received support from the Utah State Legislature and donors.
HMHI CEO Mark Rapaport said: “The Utah Translational Research Building will enable Huntsman Mental Health Institute to deliver the research, care, and treatment options to combat one of our nation’s most critical health crises.
“We want to create a place that will help us bring in a new era of knowledge, hope, and healing for everyone.”
The 170-bed HMHI is a psychiatric treatment and care facility serving patients from children to the elderly.
Additionally, it serves as a regional training centre for mental health professionals and operates across more than 20 locations in Utah and Idaho.
