Psych Hospitals in the Pittsburgh area
May 8, 2019 9:47 AM Subscribe
My adult child with a history of trauma, BPD, DID may need to seek psychiatric hospitalization in the Pittsburgh area in the next few days. We would appreciate advice/recommendations about facilities in the area.
My adult child is currently in Pennsylvania; we live in Michigan. AC is technically homeless, staying in a motel for a few days. They don't have a car. They are trying to figure out where to go next, which depends somewhat on resources available to them such as rides and people who will keep their pets for them. Wherever they go, they will need to spend some time inpatient. They have a history of trauma, child abuse, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and possibly dissociative identity disorder.
They have a lead on a ride to Pittsburgh, and someone there who may be able to keep their pets. We are looking for advice on inpatient programs in the area. We recognize that availability of beds can be an issue, so let us worry about that. We'd prefer a direct admission versus going in through an ER. If there is a place that has a good trauma program or specific experience with DID that would be awesome.
AC has both Medicaid and good private insurance.
My adult child is currently in Pennsylvania; we live in Michigan. AC is technically homeless, staying in a motel for a few days. They don't have a car. They are trying to figure out where to go next, which depends somewhat on resources available to them such as rides and people who will keep their pets for them. Wherever they go, they will need to spend some time inpatient. They have a history of trauma, child abuse, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and possibly dissociative identity disorder.
They have a lead on a ride to Pittsburgh, and someone there who may be able to keep their pets. We are looking for advice on inpatient programs in the area. We recognize that availability of beds can be an issue, so let us worry about that. We'd prefer a direct admission versus going in through an ER. If there is a place that has a good trauma program or specific experience with DID that would be awesome.
AC has both Medicaid and good private insurance.
This isn't a very useful web page unfortunately, but I'm linking to it because I know for a fact that Jefferson Hospital in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh has an inpatient psychiatric unit, and I believe Forbes Hospital in Monroeville does as well. Not sure of the size or intake procedures, but I hope this helps.
posted by helloimjennsco at 10:46 AM on May 8, 2019
posted by helloimjennsco at 10:46 AM on May 8, 2019
You may want to give the resolve crisis network a call; they're pretty well acquainted with the ins and outs of various options in the area, and may be able to help you figure out who has specific experience with what you need, where the beds currently are, etc. I've found them to be helpful in the past. They also have a walk-in center, but I've never been there and can't speak to it personally. Their mobile crisis teams are kind and knowledgeable but be warned that if it really is a full-on "danger of harm to self or others" crisis when you call, they're going to send the cops, and the cops are going to get there before they do, and that could escalate quickly in some bad directions. I would recommend making a call for a mobile crisis team only a very last resort, based on past experience.
I know a few people who've spent inpatient time at WPIC, and have generally found it to be a reasonable facility that provides good care, which they would go to again if things got bad again. The ones who went on involuntary hold found that part of it to be pretty fucked up, which isn't exactly surprising, but that once they were through that admission process they got good care. If there's any way to go in as a voluntary admission instead I'd strongly recommend it, and that might be the kind of process thing that the resolve folks could walk you through.
I wish I could offer to take in your child's pets, but I think my own cat crew would riot in our small house. But I wish them and you luck. Please don't hesitate to MeMail me if I can provide any advice about the area, or about the visitor process for having a loved one at WPIC, things you're allowed to send, etc. My experience is a few years out of date so you'd probably still want to check with them, but I'm happy to tell you what I can.
posted by Stacey at 11:23 AM on May 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
I know a few people who've spent inpatient time at WPIC, and have generally found it to be a reasonable facility that provides good care, which they would go to again if things got bad again. The ones who went on involuntary hold found that part of it to be pretty fucked up, which isn't exactly surprising, but that once they were through that admission process they got good care. If there's any way to go in as a voluntary admission instead I'd strongly recommend it, and that might be the kind of process thing that the resolve folks could walk you through.
I wish I could offer to take in your child's pets, but I think my own cat crew would riot in our small house. But I wish them and you luck. Please don't hesitate to MeMail me if I can provide any advice about the area, or about the visitor process for having a loved one at WPIC, things you're allowed to send, etc. My experience is a few years out of date so you'd probably still want to check with them, but I'm happy to tell you what I can.
posted by Stacey at 11:23 AM on May 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213
412-624-2100
https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/western-psychiatric
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:14 AM on May 8, 2019 [1 favorite]