HMHI Unveils New Mission, Vision, Values
After months of gathering feedback from staff, patients, faculty, trainees, partners, and stakeholders, we unveiled our new mission, vision, and values at Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) last Thursday. Data was distilled from 74 focus groups, dozens of in-person meetings, and several surveys to craft statements that I believe uniquely define our culture and will guide everyday decisions about the critical work of HMHI.
HMHI is truly a one-of-a-kind institution. We have incredible faculty, staff, clinicians, researchers, and trainees who are constantly working towards ending suffering and improving life for all people. We have a unique opportunity with the support of the Huntsman family, state leaders, and the University of Utah to do something different--to tackle mental health challenges in ways that have not been done before.
In developing our vision, it was essential to be aspirational and think beyond ourselves and to the future state of what we believe we can achieve. Our vision is:
Free the world from mental health stigma, bring an end to suffering, and integrate mind and body to improve life for every person.
Our mission statement is central to our work at HMHI. It is our purpose and direction and unites us all as one organization working together towards a common goal. It reflects every aspect of HMHI, from our research to our training and education, clinical programs, and community outreach. It defines us and pushes us to continue to grow. Our mission is:
Advance mental health knowledge, hope, and healing for all.
Our values describe what HMHI stands for at our core. The values will guide our organizational decisions and individual interactions with colleagues, partners, and patients. Our values are who we are and who we strive to be - they are:
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Cultivate Joy: share moments of joy to build trust and resilience.
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Embody Compassion: be kind and show empathy in every interaction.
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Universal Acceptance: ensure belonging for people of all background and abilities.
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Bold Collaborations: foster courageous and rewarding partnerships.
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Chase Innovation: drive for insight, excellence, and the next discovery.
I am grateful to work alongside our faculty and staff at HMHI, who live our values daily. I invite everyone across the University of Utah campus, the state of Utah, and beyond to partner with us as we implement our new mission and strive to create the future state defined by our vision - a world free from mental health stigma and suffering.
Mark Rapaport, MD is the inaugural CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at University of Utah School of Medicine. Previously, Rapaport was head of psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, where he co-founded the Emory Brain Center.
