With youth mental health challenges on the rise in Utah, leaders are turning their attention to early childhood care as a means of intervention and support. Construction has officially begun on The Children’s Center Utah’s new facility in Lehi, a major expansion for the nonprofit that has been serving families for over six decades.

This marks the organization’s first major site in Utah County, the fastest-growing region in the state. The new center, located on the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital’s Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus, will provide specialized mental health services to children from birth to age six.

The need is urgent. According to a 2023 report from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, 41.5% of youth in the state report feeling sad or hopeless nearly every day for extended periods. National research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 10% and 20% of Utah’s roughly 458,000 children aged 0–8 could face mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral challenges.

The Children’s Center Utah is uniquely positioned to help. Specializing in trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the nonprofit also supports families and caregivers through therapy and education.

President and CEO Rebecca Dutson emphasized the importance of early intervention in shaping a child’s future.
“When we can intervene early and give them the tools that they need to address their big emotions and help them interact with their peers and the adults in their lives appropriately, then we’re giving that child the tools to succeed,” Dutson said.

The Lehi site will offer outpatient and day treatment programs, including trauma services and family therapy, to help children build emotional skills that last a lifetime. In addition to clinical services, the center will continue its work training early childhood professionals across Utah.

“We recognize the great need in the state, and we’re trying to do everything we can to help educate and train more providers,” Dutson added.

The Children’s Center Utah’s origins trace back to 1962, when it began as a nursery school in a community church. Over the years, it has expanded to multiple locations in Salt Lake County and most recently opened an outpatient center in West Valley City. Its reach also includes virtual care and statewide programs funded by both state and federal sources, including its Trauma Program for Young Children and the Infant-Toddler Court Program.

In 2020, a study commissioned by the organization and conducted by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute found Utah to be among the states with the highest prevalence of child and adolescent mental health disorders — and with high rates of unmet mental health needs.

The urgency of the issue led to a proclamation from Gov. Spencer Cox earlier this month, declaring May 7 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in Utah.
“It is important to consider our children’s mental health and well-being and raise awareness of this issue in order to improve the social and cognitive development of a child,” reads an excerpt from the declaration, which aligned with national Mental Health Awareness Month.

During the May 9 groundbreaking ceremony, stakeholders and local leaders celebrated the milestone. Among them was state Sen. Heidi Balderree, who represents Lehi and neighboring communities in Senate District 22.

“As someone who represents this district, I couldn’t be more thrilled,” Balderree said.
“This is a community full of children and young families, and there is no better place for The Children’s Center to grow. Our county is now the second largest in Utah and is poised to become the largest in the coming years. This center could not come at a more important time.”

The Lehi facility is expected to open in July 2026, just steps from Primary Children’s Hospital, with a ribbon-cutting event to follow.

“It’s wonderful to be moving into a space that is dedicated to supporting the well-being of children and families, and we’re so excited to be coming,” Dutson told the Daily Herald.

With expanded access and a renewed focus on early intervention, The Children’s Center Utah aims to meet the growing demand for youth mental health support and help create a healthier future for Utah’s youngest residents.

Originally reported by Curtis Booker in Daily Herald.