On October 2, 2023, Huntsman Mental Health Institute and Huntsman Mental Health Foundation broke ground on the new Utah Mental Health Translational Research building. A construction milestone was reached in October 2024 鈥 with a ceremonial beam signing and topping off, reinforcing the research hub鈥檚 significant presence on campus.
Scheduled to open in 2026, the new facility will provide dedicated space for educators and researchers from universities and colleges across the state to partner with Huntsman Mental Health Institute on mental health research, treatment, and training initiatives.
The facility will help the institute continue to bring together , , and patient care to help solve one of the nation鈥檚 greatest challenges: untreated mental health conditions. The facility is a great representation of the new era of mental health in Utah, across the nation and the world.
Proximity Matters
鈥淲e already have partners across the academic spectrum,鈥 said Nicole Omer, Director for Research at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. 鈥淏ut proximity matters.鈥
Shared space for both educators and researchers from many different disciplines in a state-of-the-art building is a game changer. Existing collaborations will flourish and thrive. Innovation will grow.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing quite like being in the same building as your colleagues,鈥 said . 鈥淗aving people together in the same space just creates that kind of chemistry that is hard to do otherwise.鈥
Mickey is no stranger to a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. A board-certified psychiatrist, he is a faculty member in four departments: Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, and Anesthesiology. Mickey is also a clinician and neuroscientist who hopes to bring some of his research into the clinic.
鈥淭hinking about bringing all of these specialists together 鈥 each with their own expertise 鈥 to work on some of the biggest problems in medicine is really inspiring for me.鈥
The building will have innovative facilities to support bench science, basic neuroscience, and cellular molecular biology, as well as imaging to better understand brain circuitry. But research isn鈥檛 the only goal.
鈥淎ll of the research we do will translate into how we are educating our future healthcare workforce,鈥 said Omer. 鈥淲e can better inform policy at the state and national levels and elevate the standard of mental health care everywhere.鈥
Worldclass Technology & Research
The facility will house the world鈥檚 only 7 Tesla MRI dedicated to mental health research, a machine that captures high resolution images of the brain.
Innovative brain stimulation equipment, including ultrasound based non-invasive brain stimulation devices will be available. Research teams can utilize this equipment for studies, along with potential clinical applications. A robust computer infrastructure will provide the support and security needed to address the big data questions that are key in the field of mental health.
The facility will also boast an elite team of researchers, scientists, doctors, and educators 鈥 all focused on improving our understanding of the brain. Ongoing funding efforts will make sure that Huntsman Mental Health Institute can support faculty members and their research.
Research Neighborhoods
Within the Translational Research building, different disciplines will be organized into neighborhoods.
Why? Because neighborhoods are all about connection.
鈥淣eighbors provide different levels of support and connection that you can鈥檛 get any other way,鈥 said Omer. 鈥淥ur research neighborhoods are the same. We have researchers, scientists, doctors, and educators in close proximity, focused on the same goal. It鈥檚 almost like a neighborhood watch.鈥
Each research neighborhood will focus on the entire research spectrum.
鈥淪uicide prevention is a priority for Utah, the University and Huntsman Mental Health Institute, and it鈥檚 not just death we are trying to prevent, it鈥檚 also suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.鈥