Pittsburgh Mercy Health System

The Basics

Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) has a history of service that dates back to the 1850s. Founded as a charitable religious organization, it has remained true to its mission to “stand with the vulnerable in assessing need, collaborating with others, providing services that address the whole person, and advocating for social change” while becoming a full-service, charitable healthcare provider.

PMHS clients are mostly indigent or homeless, but this facility is dedicated to providing first-rate, evidence-based outpatient substance abuse treatment at various levels, ranging from Partial Hospitalization (PHP), to Intensive Outpatient (IOP) to standard outpatient care. PMHS treats this often difficult-to-reach population by “meeting people where they are.” A care center manager  put it this way: “Sometimes, all we can offer is a blanket, then maybe lunch the next day. But eventually people start to trust us, and when they’re ready for help, they know where to go.”

Treatment and Staff

PMHS believes in holistic recovery, integrating substance abuse treatment with physical and mental health services. Its evidence-based treatment is provided based on individual need. There are over 1,700 employees at PMHS. Most of the counselors are Master’s-level or above; some are licensed clinicians and psychologists, others are peer counselors. Staff psychiatrists may prescribe medication as needed.

The partial hospitalization program provides a highly structured setting for people who don’t need 24-hour care but would benefit from spending time in a controlled environment. It helps clients to build a community support network, along with providing relapse prevention tools. The IOP program is a step down from partial hospitalization and involves an intensive schedule of group and individual therapy. Another step down, regular outpatient treatment, usually involves a similar though less intense combination of individual and group therapy. Frequency of individual and group sessions depends on clients’ needs. Individual therapy ranges from five hours a week to once a month. Clients are encouraged to do 12-step work and the organization donates space for open NA and AA meetings.

With a full range of clinicians, PMHS is able to treat clients with co-occurring mental illnesses. There is no detox, but they will refer those in need to an appropriate program.

Extras

PMHS offers a huge number of additional services, including a “street medicine” program overseen by renowned physician Dr. Warren Berger, services for abused children, support programs for foster parents and children, a training program for home nurses, homeless outreach programs, and school educations programs.

A DUI program includes evaluation, education and treatment.

In Summary

This charitable organization has remained true to its mission to serve those in the most need. For men and women who need help and have few resources, PMHS provides a full range of potentially life-saving services in a professional, caring environment.

Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
264 S 9th St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Pittsburgh Mercy Health System Cost: Sliding scale. Reach Pittsburgh Mercy Health System by phone at (877) 637 2924 or by email at info@mercybh.org. Find Pittsburgh Mercy Health System on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn and Pinterest

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