He took his first drink at 11 and experienced conflict trauma through childhood. Then, he ended up homeless in Utah.

Mental health advocate Brian Higgins is bringing his lived experience to a new state council that will shape Utah’s homeless services system.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brian Higgins, a formerly homeless man who recovered from addiction and started a mental health nonprofit, is a new member of the Utah Homelessness Council. Higgins was photographed on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021.