UPMC Continues to Advance Behavioral Health Services Locally

New Castle, Pa. - UPMC Jameson is advancing local behavioral health services for the Lawrence and Mercer County regions by opening a new behavioral health inpatient unit, with construction expected to begin in June. Both UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon offer services locally in partnership with experts at UPMC Western Behavioral Health.

Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

The new 11-bed unit will care for adult patients and is part of UPMC's ongoing commitment to addressing the growing need for locally accessible and effective mental health care in the community, identified as a top community need in the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Strategic Plan.

“We are fortunate to work with our colleagues at Western Behavioral Health on our initiatives to meet these important needs and to keep care close to home,” said Dave Patton, president, UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon. “The new inpatient unit is an essential part of the mental health care continuum for our communities.”

UPMC Jameson has been awarded a $7.5 million grant by  Southwest Behavioral Health Management, Inc., one of their largest grants to date, to develop the unit scheduled to open in 2026.  UPMC will contribute about $2 million toward the project.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Last month, UPMC announced the opening of a new intensive outpatient program (IOP) that is available to people who are experiencing psychiatric symptoms that would benefit from more support than traditional outpatient therapy. Situations for joining an IOP might include difficulty coping with a life crisis, thoughts of suicide, or difficulty with self-care and daily life activities due to depression or anxiety. An IOP may also be helpful for individuals transitioning back to their communities after inpatient behavioral health care. 

Partial Hospitalization Program

The IOP and partial hospitalization program (PHP), both located at 253 E. Washington St. in New Castle, provide group therapy, individual therapy, family/supportive sessions and medication management. Some of the topics covered in therapy programs include coping with depression, expressing anger, managing stress, decreasing anxiety, using community support services and understanding medication. People seeking care do not need a referral from another provider and access to a psychiatrist is available.

“The PHP includes a more intensive level of care and meets more frequently,” said Patton. “It’s often considered as an outpatient alternative to an admission for patients that qualify.”

Behavioral Health Peer Navigators

Additionally, behavioral health peer navigators play a crucial role in supporting individuals who are dealing with mental health and substance use challenges. They are often individuals who have personal experience with these issues, offering a unique perspective, and use their own journey to help others in the hospitals’ inpatient medical units and in the emergency departments. Some of the key responsibilities of locally available behavioral health peer navigators include providing emotional support, connecting to community resources, advocacy, education, trust building and goal setting.

Consult and Liaison Program

Behavioral health consult and liaison services are specialized care also available in Mercer and Lawrence counties. The service helps to address the mental health needs of current hospital patients in an inpatient unit or in the emergency department at UPMC Jameson or UPMC Horizon. These services involve a team of UPMC Western Behavioral Health mental health professionals who work closely with hospital medical staff to provide comprehensive care, including consultation by a psychiatrist. Some key aspects of these services include consultations with professional experts, coordination of care between medical and mental health teams, treatment planning, crisis intervention and education and support for the patient and their families. 

“These services are essential for ensuring that our UPMC patients in the community receive comprehensive care that addresses both their physical and mental health needs. They play a critical role in improving health outcomes and enhancing the overall high quality of our care,” said Patton.

Virtual Telemedicine Services

Lastly, telemedicine has emerged as a viable and effective option for people who need access to behavioral health care, offering numerous benefits that can enhance access to care and improve outcomes. UPMC offers expert care for many mental health conditions that can be accessed from a patient’s home. The patient can connect virtually with a provider and receive care in a convenient, secure way. For more information about the telepsychiatry program, please call 412-246-5434 or email WPIC_Telepsychiatry@upmc.edu. .

For information on how to access behavioral health services, call 1-877-624-4100.