For Allegheny county residents, the partnership between UPMC and resolve Crisis Services ensures health services and support extend beyond the hospital doors.
Through a special advertising program with CBS EcoMedia, funding from UPMC enables resolve Crisis Services to further their mission, breaking down barriers and offering crisis intervention to the community.
To learn more about resolve Crisis Services, visit www.upmc.com/resolvecrisis.
resolve Crisis Services was developed in 2008 as a partnership between UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Allegheny County in light of recent state hospital closures and reduced access to health services. Unique in their three-pronged approach to crisis intervention, resolve Crisis clinicians interact with consumers where and how they are most comfortable — whether that’s through walk-ins, phone calls, or mobile crisis services.
In her ninth year at resolve, veteran staff member Liz has experienced firsthand how no two days are the same when it comes to crisis work.
“Whether a person is dealing with major life stressors, such as loss of a job or the death of a loved one, we use a holistic assessment to figure out how we can develop a plan that meets their needs in the immediate moment.
One success she is particularly proud of is the 80 percent hospital diversion rate that resolve has achieved while providing over 125,000 services per year.
“The cost of health care and hospital visits sometimes have a negative impact. We help direct and link people to the correct service without them needing to undergo hospitalization.”
In this way, resolve is a critical resource for those who face addiction, worsening mental health conditions and stigma against seeking treatment. And while some consumers reach out for support regularly, single access cases can be just as impactful. Liz notes one story that continues to motivate her as a helping professional:
“Almost two weeks ago I stopped at a gas station and this man pumping gas recognized me. He said, ‘You probably don’t remember me, but you helped me out more than you could ever imagine. I was at resolve a few years ago and I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t come to resolve.’
He said, ‘thank you for all you do,’ and got in his car and drove away. That was a great reminder that the things that we do, whether they’re big or small, can have a huge impact on people’s lives. It was so surreal. That’s what keeps me going.”
With a leader like Liz, it’s no wonder the resolve staff continue to be “person-centered and recovery-oriented” with such recognizable success.
This year, safety and technology upgrades — also made possible by UPMC’s generous funding — enable resolve Crisis Services to build on their legacy of support for Allegheny County.
Liz’s message to anyone seeking support reflects the organization’s unending commitment to the community’s wellbeing: “We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We never close. Reach out if you need help.”
To learn more about resolve Crisis Services, visit www.upmc.com/resolvecrisis.