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.
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Certified Peer Specialist Program
Now Accepting External Referrals!
Being able to talk to someone who’s had a similar experience can be really helpful. Certified peer specialists are people who have firsthand, lived experience with mental illness, are working on their own recovery, and are specially 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.
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.
For more information, 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. A Decision Support Center 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.
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 at multiple Pittsburgh Mercy sites and at other locations in the community.
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.
Page Updated: November 17, 2022
