plans to rename University Neuropsychiatric Institute as the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Under the agreement, the university will work with the Huntsman family to raise additional funds to support the initiative and to increase awareness in the community about mental health. Together, we will work to increase positive outcomes, destigmatize the perception of mental illness and enhance the quality of life for families across Utah,” Watkins said. We are grateful to Karen and her remarkable family for this transformational gift. “We share a dedication to addressing the mental health needs of our campus and the greater community. “The Huntsman family has once again stepped forward to lead the way on a serious public health issue,” said Watkins in a statement. Watkins described the gift as “transformational.” The family is prepared to sign a first check Tuesday, he told reporters, and the university already has mental health initiatives in the works. As we’ve explored that, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best partner is in our own backyard, the University of Utah,” Huntsman said. “We’ve been investigating how to make the greatest impacts and who the best partners would be. The family has discussed the possibility of making a gift to help impact mental health in Utah, nationally and internationally, for a couple of years, he said. This next generation, we really want to attack and deal with mental health,” Durham said.ĭavid Huntsman, foundation president and chief operating officer, said three generations of the Huntsman family voted unanimously to target resources to advance knowledge about mental illness, treatments and patient care. She said the initiative will also help students as they transition out of college and become working members of the community. will be tremendously reaffirming of students’ humanity,” Barnes said. And knowing that the university, the Huntsmans, members of our community, want to make this investment in the lives of students and not just a one-time investment. It can be incredibly lonely, and it can be incredibly insular. Of the funding, she said, “I think that it will foster a sense of: This campus and this community cares about you, which is half the battle when it comes to mental health. student body president, said students helped bring mental health to the forefront of discussion at the university. The gift places a particular emphasis on the needs of college-age adults at the university as well as underserved populations in rural Utah.ĪnnaMarie Barnes, U. The funding, pledged over 15 years, will be used to support research, expand access to patient care and build awareness about mental health. “And we are so excited to put a name and a face to it and start addressing real issues, and stop the judgment.” We have either held the hand of somebody, or had our hand held by somebody dealing with mental health,” said Christena Huntsman Durham, Huntsman Foundation vice chairwoman and executive vice president. And I think every family deals with mental health. “As a family, we are so excited to put a name and a face to mental health. Watkins says it is the largest single gift ever given to the state’s flagship university.Īs the family and university officials announced the gift Monday, they said they hope the money will spark a statewide movement in the battle against mental illness, end stigmas and open doors to finding effective treatments. SALT LAKE CITY - The Huntsman family has pledged a “historic” $150 million gift to the University of Utah to establish the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. We need to be to be better educated and know how we can deal with this crisis.” - Christena Huntsman Durham, Huntsman Foundation vice chairwoman “We’re either the one having our hand held or we are holding somebody else’s hand.
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