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- calendar_today November 10, 2026
Major Donation Aims to Boost Mental Health Research in Utah
Two of Utah’s most influential families have joined forces to address the state’s growing mental health crisis. On November 9, 2026, the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation announced a $35 million contribution from Gail Miller and the Larry H. Miller & Gail Miller Family Foundation. The donation will help expand a modern research facility focused on discovering new mental health treatments and ensuring those discoveries reach patients quickly.
Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Translational Research Building Renamed
At a ceremony in Salt Lake City, the contribution was celebrated by community leaders. The new research facility, located just west of the Huntsman Family Foundation building in Research Park, will now be known as the “Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Translational Research Building.” This reflects the Miller family's commitment to advancing mental health initiatives in the region.
Accelerating Innovation in Mental Health Treatments
The investment is expected to significantly support the development of new mental health treatments. Gail Miller emphasized the importance of combining compassionate care with ongoing scientific inquiry. "Mental health care needs both compassion for the person in front of us and a commitment to keep learning what we can to help,” Miller stated. "Research gives us a way to ask better questions, deepen understanding and inform the care that people receive."
Foundation and Government Collaboration
The Utah Legislature previously appropriated $90 million for the research facility project in 2021, with construction beginning in October 2024. This building will be part of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, located on the University of Utah Health campus. The institute has played a key role in Utah’s mental health initiatives since its founding.
Legacy of Philanthropy Continues in Mental Health
The Huntsman family's commitment to health-related philanthropy has deep roots. In 2019, a $150 million gift from the Huntsman family established the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. This continued their longstanding support for health care in Utah, echoing earlier efforts that created the Huntsman Cancer Institute with a major gift in 1999. Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, highlighted the family's dedication to tackling mental health challenges in the same way they addressed cancer research in previous decades.
Looking Forward
With the combined efforts of the Huntsman and Miller families, the new research facility is poised to become a leading center for mental health research and treatment innovation. The partnership underscores the importance of philanthropy in accelerating progress for those affected by mental health conditions.
Source: sltrib.com.
