The Utah philanthropic Huntsman family has announced a $150 million donation to the University of Utah for the establishment of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The family expects the institute is to become a nationally recognized leader in research, care, education and community outreach and a model for other states to follow.
“All families are impacted by the effects of mental illness. This is the first step in positioning Utah as a national leader in identifying, caring for and seeking new treatments for families facing the difficult challenges that come with mental health,” said Karen Huntsman, family matriarch. “Our family invites the community to join us in supporting this important work.”
As part of the grant agreement, the university will work closely with the Huntsman family to raise additional funds to support the institute and to increase awareness in the community about mental health. The gift will provide financial support to the University of Utah Health’s Department of Psychiatry and full-service psychiatric hospital known as UNI (University Neuropsychiatric Institute). In addition, the donation will be used to support mental health services and screenings for the university’s 32,000 students, as well as in rural areas across the state. The funding also will support university research aimed at identifying genetic risks and other factors that cause or contribute to mental illness. The university plans to rename UNI in recognition of this gift, identifying it as the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
“The Huntsman family has once again stepped forward to lead the way on a serious public health issue,” said University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins. “We share a dedication to addressing the mental health needs of our campus and the greater community. We are grateful to Karen and her remarkable family for this transformational gift. Together, we will work to increase positive outcomes, destigmatize the perception of mental illness and enhance the quality of life for families across Utah.”
The university will recruit a new chair of the Department of Psychiatry who will also serve as the CEO of the institute.