Huntsmans give $150M to start mental health institute

The University of Utah says a new mental health institute funded by a $150 million donation from the influential Huntsman family will focus on researching the genetic causes of the illnesses and provide more treatment to college students and rural residents.

The university said in a news release Monday the Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s will aim to provided research-based treatment. It will also help fund the University of Utah Health’s psychiatry department.

The Huntsmans already have a major cancer research center in Utah that bears the family name. The late Jon Huntsman Sr. was the founder of a company that refines raw materials that go into thousands of products.

One of his sons, Peter Huntsman, says he hopes the institute help change the stigma and misperceptions about mental health.