Utah’s youth mental health services include hospital and day programs in the Salt Lake area and residential options in surrounding communities. The three providers below represent different care settings. Compare the age range, daily clinical support, school arrangements, and family access before choosing a program.
1. Huntsman Mental Health Institute
- Location
- Salt Lake City and surrounding clinics, Utah
- Care format
- Hospital, residential, day and outpatient programs
- Who it serves
- Children and teens; eligibility varies by service
Huntsman Mental Health Institute provides a range of youth mental health services, including hospital care, day treatment, intensive outpatient care, and clinic appointments. Its Youth Crisis Care service accepts walk-ins ages 5–17 around the clock at the main hospital.
Families can start with an assessment to identify the needed level of care. Ask the team to distinguish the proposed program from the institute’s other services and explain what care, supervision, and school support the young person will receive.
2. Newport Academy — Oakley Campus
Verified- Location
- Oakley, Utah
- Care format
- Residential treatment
- Who it serves
- Teens ages 13–17
Newport Academy’s Oakley campus serves teens ages 13–17 with depression, anxiety, trauma, and co-occurring mental health concerns. The residential program combines clinical, medical, and educational components in a structured daily schedule.
The age criteria and Oakley location are more useful for planning than a general reference to Salt Lake City. Ask about the weekly therapy schedule, family participation, school credit transfer, and the plan for returning to care in the teen’s home community.
3. New Beginnings Behavioral Health
- Location
- Draper, Utah
- Care format
- Residential, day and outpatient services
- Who it serves
- Youth; confirm the relevant program’s age criteria
New Beginnings lists residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and outpatient behavioral health services in Draper. Its approach combines behavioral treatment with education and family involvement. The different services should be assessed individually rather than treated as a single residential package.
Ask for the current admission criteria and the address for the actual treatment program. For residential or day treatment, establish how the school day, medication appointments, family sessions, and discharge planning work together.
Frequently asked questions
Where can a child or teen get an urgent mental health assessment in Utah?
Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s Youth Crisis Care program accepts walk-ins around the clock for ages 5–17. Its youth network also includes hospital, day-treatment, and outpatient programs, allowing assessment to inform the next level of care.
A walk-in crisis assessment is different from reserving a residential bed. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911; otherwise the crisis team can explain its arrival process and what information to bring.
Can intensive youth treatment happen during the day rather than overnight?
Yes. HMHI lists Kidstar for ages 5–12 and Teenscope for ages 12–18 as day-treatment programs, with an approximately eight-hour treatment day. Young people return home outside program hours.
These are two named programs for different age groups, not a claim that treatment takes only two days. Families need to plan transport, the school handoff, and the support required at home before starting.
What age group does Newport’s Oakley residence serve?
Newport’s Oakley residential program describes care for adolescents ages 13–17, combining clinical treatment, medical support, and academics. That distinguishes it from a general adult treatment center or a weekly outpatient clinic.
For a teen approaching 18, discuss the age boundary before admission and how continuing care would transfer. For all admissions, request a school-credit plan and a clear schedule for family participation, especially if the family will travel from another part of Utah.
What should families check before committing to residential care?
The AACAP residential treatment guide recommends checking program suitability, staff qualifications, family involvement, and educational provision. Ask to see the treatment plan, the process for reporting concerns, and how clinical progress is reviewed.
Location also matters. New Beginnings currently lists its residential service in Draper, while Newport is in Oakley. The admission paperwork should name the actual campus, services, and age group, rather than relying on an older directory address.