Mental Health Rehabilitation & Recovery Services

At Pittsburgh Mercy, we know that recovery is possible. We see it firsthand every day. We offer person-centered, mental health rehabilitation, and recovery services in several locations in Allegheny County.

All of our services are voluntary. We can help you to strengthen your roles in the community, improve your independence, and reach your wellness and recovery goals.

Some of our services are offered on a drop-in basis at select Pittsburgh Mercy locations. Others are available in the community. Services, locations, and referral criteria vary.

Some programs require a referral from a member of your treatment team. Some programs have additional requirements.

For more information, please contact us at 1-877-637-2924.

Certified Peer Specialist Program

Being able to talk to someone who’s had a similar experience can be really helpful. Certified peer specialists are people who have firsthand experience with mental illness, are working on their own recovery, and are trained to help others in their recovery.

Our certified peer specialists work with you 1-to-1 to help you build the skills you need to recover and live well in the community. Whether your goal is to find, get, or keep a job, or to live on your own, we can offer help and empower you to identify, choose, and achieve your recovery goals.

The Certified Peer Specialist Program also runs the Paths to Wellness group, a peer-run program that helps adults who have mental illness through 1-to-1 wellness coaching, community resources, and activities. The Paths to Wellness group produces the Community Activities Network (CAN) Newsletter, a free monthly e-newsletter to help people connect socially through community events and activities. Printed copies are available upon request.

To be eligible for this program, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A need to develop skills and supports in one or more of the following areas:
  • Living
  • Learning
  • Working
  • Social skills
  • Health and wellness
• A desire to work on one or more of your recovery goals
• A referral from a member of your treatment team
• A recommendation from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or psychologist
• You must have Medical Assistance as your health insurance.

We may be able to assist you with transportation.

For more information or to subscribe to the free Community Activities Network (CAN) Newsletter, please contact us at 1-877-637-2924. 

Decision Support Centers

A Decision Support Center is a place where you can learn how to express your needs and participate in decisions that affect your care. Located on the North Side and South Side, our Decision Support Centers can help you get more out of your medication appointments. Peer counselors, who have firsthand experience with mental illness and are trained to help others in their recovery, can assist you in preparing for your appointments by helping you to:

• Access online resources and tools that can assist you in your recovery
• Create a power statement (a self-advocacy statement you create to help explain your wants and recovery goals to your care team)
• Develop an advanced directive (a plan to help direct your care based on your goals)
• Discover and use personal medicine (the things you do to be well)
• Empower you in shared decision making with your care team
• Keep track of your personal health and wellness goals
• Apply for benefits, jobs, and housing.

Work is completed 1-to-1 with a peer counselor in an office setting or individually on a computer.

To be eligible for this service, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A desire to work on one or more of your recovery goals
• A desire to share your wants and goals with your care team
• A referral from a member of your treatment team
• A recommendation from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or psychologist.

If you participate in other services, we may be able to assist you with transportation.

For more information, please contact us at 1-877-637-2924.

Fairweather Lodge

Located in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Knoxville, Fairweather Lodge is a voluntary, employment-focused rehabilitation and residential program based on the work of the late Dr. George Fairweather, a pioneer in recovery. This program empowers people in recovery from mental illness through living, learning, and working together in the community. Members actively participate in groups, share responsibilities and decision making, and support each other in recovery.

The program is limited to six residents. The goal for each member is to find, get, and keep a job that will help them reach and keep the next level of independence.

The maximum length of stay is 18 months.

To be eligible for this program, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A need to develop employment and community living skills
• A desire to work or attend school to develop work-related skills
• A desire to live independently in the community
• A desire to work on one or more of your recovery goals.
• Additionally, applicants must apply and agree to a face-to-face interview with Fairweather Lodge members. The final decision is made by current Lodge members.

For more information, please contact us at 1-877-637-2924.

Paths to Wellness

This program offers individuals help with completing mental health advance directives (a written plan that helps you to communicate your wants and needs to your care team) and facilitates Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) groups to promote mind and body well-being.

For more information, please contact us or call 1-877-637-2924.

Penn Avenue Place Clubhouse

NOTICE TO PENN AVENUE PLACE CLUBHOUSE MEMBERS: Due to COVID-19, and effective May 18, 2020, Penn Avenue Place Clubhouse will move temporarily to Pittsburgh Mercy, 330 South 9th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side). We regret any inconvenience and hope to see you soon!

Penn Avenue Place Clubhouse is a voluntary, membership-driven day program for adults, age 18 and older, who are living with a mental illness. Clubhouse members practice work and social skills in an encouraging and supportive environment. The Clubhouse offers members hope and opportunities to reach their full potential.

Every member of the Clubhouse has a guaranteed right to:

• A place to belong
• A place to come
• Meaningful work
• Healthy, meaningful relationships.

Members and staff work together to run the Clubhouse and work toward individual employment, education, housing, and social goals.

Structure is provided through:

• A work-ordered day (a system of work that’s based on strengths and helps members regain self-worth, purpose, and confidence)
• Transitional, supported, and independent employment programs
• Community support
• Wellness opportunities
• Social and recreational opportunities at the Clubhouse and in the community.

Many of our members have jobs.

Clubhouse members organize a fun night each week and two weekend activities a month. The Clubhouse is also open to members on most major holidays.

By working together side-by-side as peers and partners in group activities, Clubhouse members strengthen the following employment and social skills:

• Customer service
• Food preparation and service
• Handling money
• Office skills
• Teamwork
• Time management.

Penn Avenue Place Clubhouse is one of 320 Clubhouses in 34 countries worldwide. Our Clubhouse is accredited by Clubhouse International.

There’s no cost to join. However, there may be costs for you to participate in some of the recreational activities in the community.

To be eligible for this program, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A need to develop skills and supports in one or more of the following areas:
  • Living
  • Learning
  • Working
  • Social skills
  • Health and wellness
• A desire to work on one or more of your recovery goals
• A referral from a member of your treatment team
• A recommendation from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or psychologist.

We may be able to assist you with transportation to and from this program.

For more information or to arrange a tour, contact us at 1-877-637-2924. 

Psychiatric Rehabilitation (Psych Rehab)

Psychiatric Rehabilitation (Psych Rehab) is a wellness service which is focused on recovery. This program offers you opportunities to work on your recovery goals in a structured, supportive environment. We help you gain the skills and supports you need to choose, get, and keep the roles that you value in living, learning, working, and community life.

Classes are offered in a group setting and meet once or twice a week for approximately 12 weeks on the South Side. Subjects include, but are not limited to:

• Employment
• Health and wellness
• Housing
• Mindfulness
• Social skills
• Volunteering.

Depending upon your interests, you may take more than once class at a time.

Individual rehabilitation counselors are available to help you gain the awareness, confidence, and skills to reach your chosen rehabilitation and recovery goals. We’ll also work with you to help you improve your:

• Attention
• Focus
• Memory
• Problem-solving skills.

To be eligible for this program, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A need to develop skills and supports in one or more of the following areas:
  • Living
  • Learning
  • Working
  • Social skills
  • Health and wellness
• A desire to work on one or more of your recovery goals
• A referral from a member of your treatment team
• A recommendation from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or psychologist.

We may be able to assist you with transportation to and from this program.

For more information, contact us at 1-877-637-2924.

Supported Employment

Work can give you a sense of personal satisfaction, enrich your life, and contribute to your well-being. Our supported employment specialists will work with you 1-to-1 to help you find, choose, get, and keep community employment.

We can help you to:

• Find job opportunities
• Choose and apply for jobs that best match your interests and skills
• Prepare your résumé
• Practice interview skills
• Accompany you to job interviews, if needed
• Prepare you for on-the-job success
• Keep your employment.

Services are provided in the supported employment specialist’s office on the South Side or other locations in the community, including but not limited to local libraries and coffee shops.

To be eligible for supported employment services, you must be at least 18 years old and have:

• A serious mental illness
• A need to develop skills and supports in employment
• A desire to work on one of more recovery goals
• A self-referral or a referral from a member of your treatment team.

This program does not offer job placement services or transportation assistance.

For more information, contact us at 1-877-637-2924.

Wellspring Drop-In Center

Located in Uptown Pittsburgh, Wellspring Drop-In Center is a day program for adults, age 18 and over, who are living with a mental illness. Services are typically available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come once a week or five days a week. All are welcome.

We offer:

• A recovery group that meets Monday through Thursday
• A medical clinic on Thursday afternoons
• Care management services
• Hot meals served at 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Mail services for persons who are experiencing homelessness
• Open art studios on Fridays
• Service coordination and referrals to other community resources, including but not limited to, health care, housing, and employment
• Shower facilities.

For more information, contact us at 1-877-637-2924.