Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital Behavioral Health Campus in Taylorsville Marks One Year Anniversary This Week
One year after opening its doors, the Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus is marking a milestone year of expanding access to lifesaving mental health care for Utah children, teens, and families.
Since opening in September 2025, the 90,000-square-foot campus at 5770 South 1500 West in Taylorsville has cared for more than 9,000 children and provided a dedicated place for families to turn to during a behavioral health crisis and throughout their journey toward healing and recovery.
During the past year, the specialized hospital has provided care for more than 1,100 pediatric patients in its 24/7 Crisis Walk-In Center – the only unit of its kind in the state – and had 12,600 outpatient visits as the demand for pediatric mental health services grows.
Made possible through generous community donations, including a $25 million investment from the state of Utah, the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus was designed to address the growing need for pediatric behavioral health services across the region.
"This campus exists so families have somewhere to turn and real hope for healing and recovery," said Amanda Choudhary, president of the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus. “We know there is more work to do, but we're encouraged by the progress we're seeing and by the thousands of children and families who have already found support here.”
Over the past year, the campus has significantly expanded access to behavioral health care for children and adolescents, including adding 50% more inpatient beds, which are adaptable to each child's needs with specialized staffing for children requiring the highest levels of support, and 25% more outpatient appointment capacity, including immediate access for new patients.
The growth reflects broader efforts by Intermountain Children’s Health to address Utah's youth mental health needs, said Choudhary.
“Over the past five years, we’ve increased our behavioral health programs by 78% and served 40% more children,” she noted.
Designed Around Families
Every aspect of the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus was intentionally designed to support children and the people who care for them.
"There's often nothing more important to healing than the presence of the people you love," said Choudhary. “That's why we built L-shaped beds so parents can stay overnight with their child, created larger treatment spaces filled with natural light, and incorporated quiet rooms and sensory spaces throughout the building. Families walk into welcoming waiting areas, a café, and an on-site pharmacy because healing happens best when families are included.”
The family-centered approach extends throughout the campus, helping reduce stress and providing continuity during what can be one of the most difficult experiences in a family's life.
The campus also offers services that previously did not exist together in a single pediatric behavioral health setting in Utah, including:
• A dedicated 24/7 Crisis Walk-In Center with no appointment required. The center bills as an emergency department and accepts all insurance plans, as well as uninsured patients.
• An Observation Unit where children can stay in private rooms while clinicians assess needs and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Two Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs), including a Crisis PHP for rapid stabilization and a Day PHP that incorporates classroom instruction through the campus's accredited school.
• An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for continued support after school hours.
• Outpatient therapy, psychological testing, and medication management services.
• A comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program focused on suicide prevention and reducing self-harm behaviors.
• Specialized Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) rooms where therapists coach parents in real time to strengthen family relationships and support positive behaviors.
"Before we opened the hospital here, families in crisis often had one option – a busy emergency department that wasn't designed for a child experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Heather Shotwell, director for behavioral health clinical operations, which includes crisis services for the campus. “Today, families have a dedicated 24/7 Crisis Walk-In Center built specifically for children and teens, along with a full continuum of behavioral health services in one location.”
While recent data indicate encouraging progress in youth mental health across Utah, significant challenges remain.
According to the latest available data, 12.6% of Utah students in grades 6 through 12 reported seriously considering suicide in 2025, down from 17.6% in 2023. Suicide attempts declined from 7.3% to 5.6% during the same period, and the percentage of students reporting feelings of sadness or hopelessness decreased from 34.1% to 26.2%.
However, suicide attempts remain highest among sixth-grade students compared to older youth, underscoring the continued need for accessible behavioral health resources.
"We want parents and families to know they don't have to wait until there’s an emergency to receive care," said Shotwell. “Call 385-478-2400, dial 988, or walk in. We're here 24/7.”
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