PITTSBURGH - UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, has opened a second pediatric behavioral health walk-in clinic where children and teens up to age 18 can be seen for a variety of behavioral health concerns.
UPMC Children's South Pediatric Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic, on the first floor of Children's South, provides a safe and welcoming environment for children and teens with mental health concerns to receive expert care. UPMC Children's also operates a pediatric behavioral health walk-in clinic at the main hospital in Lawrenceville.
Therapists and psychologists are available for behavioral health assessments from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Children and teens, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can walk in for same-day care without an appointment and receive a one-time intervention plus referrals to resources.
"Mental health challenges among children and adolescents are rising, and families often struggle to find timely access to care," said Abigail Schlesinger, M.D., clinical chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Integrated Care at UPMC Western and UPMC Children's. "This second walk-in clinic provides an immediate, compassionate point of access for kids who need support right away. Early intervention can make a lasting difference in a child's well-being, and our clinics ensure that help is available when it's needed most - before a situation becomes a crisis."
"The opening of our new behavioral health walk-in clinic represents an important step forward in supporting the mental well-being of our community's children," said Diane Hupp, president, UPMC Children's Hospital. "We know that when a child is struggling, timely access to care can make all the difference. This clinic ensures that families have a safe, welcoming place to turn for immediate support - no appointment needed. Our goal is to remove barriers, reduce stigma, and make it easier for young people to get the help they need, when they need it most."
In addition to the walk-in clinic, UPMC Children's provides comprehensive behavioral health support through several initiatives. Clinical evaluators are available in the hospital's Emergency Department to assist the medical team with assessments and resources for patients and families. Furthermore, behavioral science psychologists are integrated into both inpatient and outpatient settings at UPMC Children's, and a behavioral health nurse clinician offers specialized care for inpatients.
The clinic is supported by a gift from Elizabeth L. and John P. Surma.
The walk-in clinic does not serve as a substitute for Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and is not intended for children who may require hospitalization. Individuals experiencing an extreme mental health crisis can access care at PES in UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital or at the nearest hospital emergency department. Crisis counselors and behavioral and mental health crisis services are available by calling 988 at any time.
