Two of Utah’s most influential families are joining forces to combat the state’s escalating mental health crisis through a massive new investment in medical science. On Monday, the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation announced a 35 million dollar gift from Gail Miller and the Larry H. Miller and Gail Miller Family Foundation. This contribution will fund the development of a state of the art translational research facility designed to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient bedside care, ensuring that new treatments reach those in need more rapidly.
The facility, located in Research Park near the University of Utah campus, will be renamed the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Translational Research Building. While the project already benefited from a 90 million dollar appropriation by the State Legislature in 2021, this latest infusion of private capital accelerates its mission. The building will complement the existing Huntsman Mental Health Institute, which was established via a 150 million dollar gift from the Huntsman family in 2019 as part of a generational effort to treat mental illness with the same urgency and rigor once applied to cancer research.
During the emotional announcement, Gail Miller shared personal reflections on her own journey with therapy, describing how seeking help saved her marriage and her sense of identity during a period when she felt lost in the shadows of her roles as a wife and mother. Her granddaughter, Sabrina Humphrey, also spoke candidly about her battle with debilitating anxiety and panic attacks following childbirth, recounting her eventual admission into the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Their stories underscored a central theme of the day: that behind every clinical study is a real person fighting to reclaim their life for their family.
University of Utah President Taylor Randall highlighted the urgent necessity of such research, noting that student mental health services have seen demand surge by nearly 50 percent this fall alone. He pointed out that staggering numbers of college students currently struggle with depression and anxiety, making these advancements critical for academic success and overall human flourishing. Scheduled to open its doors in late 2027, the expansive research hub aims to attract top global talent to solve some of society’s most complex psychological challenges.