Thanks to the generosity of our donors, including a lead gift from Elizabeth L. and John P. Surma, families who reside in communities south of Pittsburgh now have quicker and easier access to mental health care through the new Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic at UPMC Children’s South in South Fayette Township. This family-friendly clinic offers the same welcoming environment as the walk-in clinic at the main hospital.
Bringing Access to Care to More Children and Teens
Here, children and teens up to age 18 can come in with a parent or guardian to receive same-day support from expert therapists and psychologists, even without an appointment. By offering after-hours care, the clinic helps ensure that kids don’t have to miss school to get the support they need, and parents can avoid missing work. Whether providing immediate assessments, one-time interventions, or connecting kids with longer-term resources, this clinic helps families access timely treatment without delay.
The Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinics in both Lawrenceville and South Fayette offer non-emergency interventions for a range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, anger, grief, and depression. In addition, bridge clinic sessions are sometimes offered to provide short-term therapy or counseling, typically three to six sessions, for children and teens who have been referred for ongoing mental health services but face a long wait before their first appointment. These sessions help stabilize patients, offer coping strategies, and give families meaningful treatment during that critical in between period, ensuring no child goes without care while waiting for their next step.
Behavioral Health in This Moment
Behavioral health continues to be a priority and a key pillar of the This Moment fundraising campaign at UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Along with the hospital’s commitment to advancing pediatric mental health, we have been able to make meaningful progress in expanding services, adding expert staff, and developing new programs. These advancements are possible because of philanthropy. Learn how you can support expanding community health programs.
