Mental Health

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, please call or text 988 for immediate, free, confidential support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

For more information about the Utah Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, please visit https://988.utah.gov/

Mental health in Utah

Mental health is about how you feel, think, and handle life's ups and downs. It's just as important as your physical health. In Utah, we want to make it okay to talk about mental health. Sometimes people feel like they can't ask for help, but we want you to know that that is available. It takes a lot of strength to reach out when you're struggling.

In Utah, approximately 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 4 children experience mental health symptoms (2023).^[1]

Resources

Healthy Minds Utah screener

Intellectual and developmental disabilities/mental health provider tool

Intensive care coordination

Maternal mental health

If you are worried about what you or your child are feeling, we encourage you to use a screening tool. Healthy Minds Utah is a free screening tool that you can use to identify concerns with how you are feeling. You can then talk to your primary care provider or mental health professional about what the results may mean and what support is available. Visit the Healthy Minds Utah screener.

How to access services

Mental health services start with a clinical assessment to help the mental health professional and you, or you and your child/family member, work together to determine what is needed to support your recovery from mental health symptoms.

In Utah, the county local mental health authorities (LMHAs) provide mental health services to their residents of all ages, including those with Medicaid and to those who are unfunded. The LMHAs also accept a range of commercial/private insurances. Services available through the LMHAs include clinical assessment, therapy (individual, family, group), psychosocial rehabilitation and skill development, case management, peer support services, respite, medication management, residential treatment, and crisis services.

To find the LMHAs review the location map

The Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (SUMH) does not directly provide mental health services, instead it contracts with the LMHAs and other community providers to ensure access to mental health services statewide, as outlined in both state and federal requirements. SUMH is available to help you navigate supports for yourself or your loved ones

If you would like to learn more about services available to Utah Medicaid members, visit the Utah Medicaid website.

If you have commercial/private insurance, please connect with your insurance provider for a mental health provider in your insurance network.

Mental health programs

SUMH provides best practices oversight and manages contracts to ensure access to mental health services and supports statewide. The following are just some of the programs available across Utah.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a community-based service-delivery model designed for adults (ages 18+) with challenging and persistent behavioral health issues. An ACT team is composed of practitioners with various licenses, professional training, and skills who work together to provide services to individuals in the places and contexts where they need them (e.g., homes, group living settings, shelters, and other places of care). ACT teams function as a “hospital without walls”. ACT teams are available in Salt Lake, Davis and Utah counties.

Clubhouses are a community-based service dedicated to supporting and empowering adults (ages 18+) living with mental illness. Based on the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation, each Clubhouse offers a collaborative, restorative environment where Clubhouse members can recover by gaining access to opportunities for employment, socialization, education, skill development, housing and improved wellness. Accredited Clubhouses are available in the following counties: Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, and Washington. There are Clubhouse-like programs in several other areas of the state.

SUMH oversees contracts for Prevention and Recovery from Early Psychosis (PREP) teams, which includes support for young people (ages 14-26) at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHRP) or who have experienced a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP). These recovery-oriented PREP teams are skilled professionals who provide treatment to clients to support them in managing symptoms of psychosis or clinical high risk. To learn more about PREP teams, review the PREP website.

LMHAs are primarily community behavioral health providers, focused on supporting long-term wellness and recovery. Because having a stable home is essential for successful treatment, LMHAs also play a role in supporting housing needs. While some may choose to provide housing directly, they typically partner with local housing authorities and other community providers to connect people with safe, affordable housing. This provides a stable foundation so people can focus on the clinical care and personalized support services offered by the LMHAs.

Projects for the Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)

(PATH) is a federal grant designed to support individuals facing challenges with serious mental health conditions who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. This funding allows PATH teams to provide street outreach and case management, connecting people to housing, treatment, and other vital community resources to help them on their path to recovery and stability.

Problems Anonymous Action Group (PAAG)

PAAG provides stable, affordable housing and a supportive community in Weber County for adults living with serious mental illness. The core of their programming is a drop-in center which serves as a social environment, offering daily meals, case management, peer engagement, and structured activities like games and social events

The LMHAs partner with local school districts to provide clinical mental health services for children (grades K-12) in schools. This allows broader access to clinical services for a family seeking mental health services for their child, and who may experience barriers to accessing treatment in a traditional clinic setting. To learn more about school based behavioral health service in your county, contact your LMHA.

Youth and young adults are at an important stage of life and have an increased risk for mental illness symptoms. LMHAs offer a full range of services and supports designed to help youth and young adults (14-26) transition into adulthood in a safe and healthy way. Available support typically includes counseling, case management, medication management, and group support. To find a provider in your county, contact your LMHA.

Are you a young person who wants to get involved in your community? Youth advocacy and empowerment is a key component of supporting youth and young adults and ensuring their voices are heard. The Youth of Utah Advocacy Coalition (YUTAC) provides opportunities for young people to share their lived experience in the behavioral health system through training, mentoring, public speaking, and other opportunities for growth. Contact NAMI Utah for more information.

Mental health resources

The following are some helpful resources. This is not an all-inclusive list.

SafeUT (https://safeut.org/)

The SafeUT app is a crisis chat and tip line that provides real-time crisis intervention for students, parents/guardians, and educators through live chat.

SafeUT Frontline (https://safeut.org/frontline)

SafeUT Frontline aids those who work in health care, fire/EMS, law enforcement, corrections, public safety dispatch, and their families, linking them to licensed mental health professionals—who are trained to understand their unique challenges—for confidential support.

SafeUT National Guard (https://safeut.org/national-guard)

SafeUT National Guard serves Guard soldiers, veterans, civilian personnel, and their families, linking them to licensed mental health professionals—who are trained to understand their unique challenges—for confidential support

[1] Data source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health.