New children’s behavioral health center opens in Taylorsville

The ribbon is cut at the Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus, which began welcoming patients and families on Sept. 6. (Photo courtesy Intermountain Health)

Intermountain Children’s Health unveiled the Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center-Taylorsville Campus in a ceremony on Aug. 22. The 90,000-square-foot facility was made possible by a $25 million investment from the state of Utah and philanthropic donations to Primary Promise, Intermountain Health’s campaign to build the nation’s model health system for children.

Built on the former Wasatch Canyons campus in Taylorsville, the new center opened to kids and families Sept. 6.

Intermountain Health said in a release that Utah, like many states in the nation, is experiencing a pediatric mental health crisis. In 2023, 23 percent of Utah high school students seriously contemplated suicide. Nine percent attempted suicide, and 37 percent felt sad or hopeless.

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has increased its behavioral health programs by 78 percent and has served 40 percent more kids in the past five years. In 2024, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital behavioral health programs helped more than 10,000 kids. They’re expected to help even more this year.

“Each child in our community is an important part of Intermountain’s mission,” said Rob Allen, president and CEO of Intermountain Health, in a release. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive and live their healthiest life. They are the hope and promise of the future. This center is an important part of providing critically needed behavioral health services to Utah’s children and families.”

The new state-of-the art, family-centered facility features patient rooms where parents can stay overnight with their child, spacious waiting rooms with a cafe, and a new Crisis Walk-In Center that is always open. The center also includes free services such as the statewide assessment, referral, consultation service line that connects families with resources, and the Stabilization and Mobile Response program, which sends professionals to the home of a child or teen.

“Family-centered care is critical to kids’ healing, and this building is designed for families,” said Amanda Choudhary, president of the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital-Taylorsville Campus and leader of the behavioral health service line for Intermountain Children’s Health. “Our dedicated teams have been working tirelessly to prepare the facility, and we can’t wait to welcome our first patients.”

Construction on the center was accelerated thanks to the state’s $25 million appropriation.

“Children’s behavioral health is one of the most important and challenging issues of our time. The state of Utah is proud to support Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in this critical endeavor,” Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said. “The $25 million investment from the state shows that no child or family is alone in their mental health journey. We are all in this together.”

Intermountain Health’s Primary Promise campaign strives to build the nation’s model health system for children and create momentum for expanded behavioral health services. Julie and Gregory P. Cook’s family was the first to invest in Primary Promise, with a $10 million gift dedicated entirely to enhancing behavioral health services.

“We have a responsibility to protect kids and provide them with options so that they’re not just left to their own devices,” Julie Cook said in a release. “Behavioral Health matters, and a healthy mind starts with a community that cares. All of us can work together to be part of the solution. We knew this was our way to make a difference.”

For information about behavioral health services, visit primarychildrens.org/behavioralhealth.