Intermountain Health is getting ready to flip the switch on a new behavioral health center at Alta View Hospital in Sandy this June, bringing inpatient beds, medical withdrawal (detox) services, and a dedicated maternal mental health unit closer to home for Salt Lake Valley residents. Before the doors officially open, the hospital is inviting neighbors in for a preview open house next Thursday (May 21) from 2 to 4 p.m., so the community can walk through the new spaces and meet staff ahead of launch.
What the center will offer
According to Intermountain Health, the Alta View Behavioral Health Center will house a Maternal Mental Health Unit serving patients during pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth, a Behavioral Health Access Center for adult walk-in crisis care, inpatient adult beds for acute psychiatric treatment, and medical withdrawal management services. Hospital materials state that the aim is to cut down travel time and speed up access so people across the valley can reach appropriate care more quickly.
Hospital leaders call it a community lifeline
"By reducing travel barriers and expanding timely access to expert care, the center will play a vital role in strengthening community well-being," said Scott Roberson, president of Intermountain Alta View Hospital, in comments reported by KSL. Hospital leaders say the added services are designed to streamline evaluation, referrals, and placement so people in crisis are matched to the right level of care without as many delays or detours.
A unit focused on perinatal care
The Maternal Mental Health Unit is intentionally separated from other inpatient behavioral health areas and is staffed with clinicians trained in perinatal psychiatry, trauma-informed care, and maternal-infant bonding. "What makes this program especially meaningful is its whole-family, compassionate approach to recovery," said Janet Hintze, RN, chief nursing officer at Alta View, in an interview with KSL. The design is meant to keep the focus on both parent and baby during some of the most vulnerable months of family life.
Walk-in care and where kids fit in
The Behavioral Health Access Center will provide walk-in crisis care, short-term observation, and fast linkage to outpatient services for adults 18 and older, according to Intermountain. For children and teens, walk-in crisis services will continue to operate out of Primary Children’s Hospital’s Wasatch Canyons/Taylorsville campus, which opened a dedicated pediatric behavioral health facility last year, as reported by the Taylorsville Journal.
Why this matters locally
Local and statewide data point to persistent gaps in both maternal and pediatric behavioral health access, particularly for families living outside the Salt Lake Valley. A recent report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute highlighted several counties where residents must drive more than an hour for maternity care. University of Utah specialists note that perinatal mood disorders affect a significant share of new mothers, which makes having inpatient options available within the valley more than just a convenience for some families.
Open house and next steps
The public open house is set for next Thursday (May 21) from 2 to 4 p.m., with tours, refreshments, and staff on hand to walk visitors through the new behavioral health areas before clinical services begin in June. Intermountain officials say hiring and training are ongoing as the program ramps up. Anyone facing a mental health emergency should still call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department while the new center finishes preparations to open for patient care.
