The only 24/7 pediatric mental health crisis walk-in center in Utah has treated more than 9,000 children in its first year of operation, just four miles from Millcreek.

Intermountain Health's Primary Children's Hospital Behavioral Health Taylorsville Campus, a 90,000-square-foot facility at 5770 South 1500 West, opened in September 2025. The hospital announced the milestone on Thursday, Sept. 10.

In that first year, the campus logged 12,600 outpatient visits and served more than 1,100 patients through its round-the-clock Crisis Walk-In Center. The center requires no appointment, is billed as an emergency visit and accepts all insurance plans as well as uninsured patients.

"This campus exists so families have somewhere to turn and real hope for healing and recovery," said Amanda Choudhary, president of the Taylorsville campus. "We know there is more work to do, but we're encouraged by the progress we're seeing."

The campus has grown since opening.

Inpatient beds increased 50%, and outpatient appointment capacity rose 25%. Choudhary said Intermountain Children's Health has expanded its behavioral health programs by 78% and served 40% more children over the past five years.

Services available to families

Before the Taylorsville facility opened, families in crisis often faced a single option: a general emergency department, according to Heather Shotwell, director of behavioral health clinical operations for the campus.

The facility now houses an observation unit with private rooms, two Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) including one with classroom instruction through an accredited on-site school, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for after-school hours, outpatient therapy, psychological testing and medication management. It also runs a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program focused on suicide prevention and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) rooms where therapists coach parents in real time.

L-shaped beds let parents stay overnight. Treatment spaces are filled with natural light, and the building includes quiet rooms, sensory spaces, a café and an on-site pharmacy.

According to Intermountain Health's announcement, 12.6% of Utah students in grades 6 through 12 reported seriously considering suicide in 2025, down from 17.6% in 2023. Suicide attempts among the same group fell from 7.3% to 5.6%. Reports of sadness or hopelessness dropped from 34.1% to 26.2%.

The announcement noted that suicide attempts remain highest among sixth-grade students compared to older youth. The specific survey behind those figures was not named.

Community donations and a $25 million state investment funded the campus. Families can reach the facility by calling 385-478-2400, dialing 988 or walking in to the Crisis Walk-In Center at any hour.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.