The Huntsman Mental Health Institute has released several updates and news stories throughout 2026, covering topics from mental health research to institutional leadership changes.
In August 2026, reports indicated that Utah’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline maintained a 90% answer rate despite an increase in calls during the summer months. Additionally, the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine was reported as open to students. Other news from that month included an NIH K23 grant awarded to study methamphetamine use disorder during pregnancy and a study finding that mindfulness-based therapy for opioid misuse could yield a $12 economic benefit for every dollar spent.
Earlier in the year, the institute announced the appointment of W. Brett Graham as the Institute President of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah. Other developments included the launch of a new outpatient program at the institute to address perinatal and reproductive mental health challenges, and the implementation of the CALL-UP psychiatric consultation program to connect providers with mental health specialists statewide.
The institute also highlighted efforts to train the mental health workforce to address psychiatrist shortages in rural Utah and Idaho communities. Other featured topics included the impact of summer break on children's mental health and the role of AI in supporting mental health care.
The 2026 archive includes 44 entries covering a wide range of mental health, education, and technology topics.
