Behavioral Health Services | UPMC Altoona
Behavioral Health • Altoona, PA
About
UPMC Altoona (Altoona Regional Health System) is a nonprofit health system based in Altoona, PA, serving Blair County and surrounding areas. It operates two acute-care campuses (Altoona Hospital and Bon Secours Hospital) with a combined 497 licensed beds and more than 200 years of healthcare experience across 20+ Central Pennsylvania counties. The system employs about 136 staff and features a wide range of services through its network of physicians, caregivers, and affiliates. Current open positions include roles in primary care, cardiology, trauma/general surgery, and call center nursing. Key contact: info@altoonaregional.org or 814-889-2011.
Clinic Type
Behavioral Health
Address
501 Howard Ave., Building C, Suite 104, Altoona, PA (Walk-in center and Access Center)
Phone
814-889-2141 (24-hour crisis hotline, Option 1); 814-889-2289 (Access Center)
—
Opening Hours
Walk-in center: Weekdays 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Therapeutic milieu: Monday–Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Access Center hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Telehealth
Not specified on page
Emergency Care
24/7 crisis services; 24-hour hotline 814-889-2141, Option 1
Services Offered
Insurance & Payment
Free resources and referrals; accepts various payer types as part of Access Center services
private-pay, public insurance (Medical Assistance), free resources and referrals
Languages Spoken
—
FAQs
What services are offered at the Blair County Behavioral Health program?
Inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab; prevention programs; mental health services including inpatient treatment for adults and teens and outpatient treatment for adults and children.
How can I access crisis services?
We offer free crisis services 24/7 for all Blair County residents. Contact the 24-hour hotline at 814-889-2141, Option 1.
Where is the walk-in center located and what are its hours?
Walk-in center located at 501 Howard Ave., Building C, Suite 104, Altoona. Walk in anytime on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What is the Therapeutic milieu and when is it available?
Therapeutic milieu is provided by clinicians/peer support specialists Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to offer time-out and additional support for those in crisis.
What if the situation is not urgent?
If not urgent, services are available through the Access Center at 501 Howard Ave., Building C, Suite 104, Altoona. Call 814-889-2289, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What information should I prepare when calling the Access Center?
Summary of the problem, insurance information, address, phone number, age, and gender.
What populations do they serve?
The Access Center cares for anyone without regard to race, faith, gender, age, national origin, disability, or economic status; referrals for all age groups are available.
What types of treatment levels are arranged through the Access Center?
A trained staff member will decide the proper level of treatment and arrange an appointment with a provider of your choice.
Photos







What Patients Say
Overall sentiment across review platforms: mixed
- Birdeye (UPMC Western Behavioral Health of the Alleghenies): 2.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Rehab.com: 3.27/5 (37 reviews)
- Recovered.org: 3.85/5 (TrustScore) (Not explicitly stated)
- CMS HCAHPS (UPMC Altoona General): 2/5 stars (799 patient surveys)
Patients praise
- Recent introduction of a dedicated behavioral health pod in the Emergency Department to provide a calmer, safer, and less restrictive environment
- Improved care transitions and de-escalation for patients in mental health crises within the new pod system
- Specific segregation of care areas for adults and adolescents within the new pod
Common complaints
- Long wait times in the Emergency Department
- Difficulties scheduling appointments versus walk-in requirements
- Dissatisfaction with the facility environment, including religious content in waiting areas
- General concerns regarding staff communication and hospital quietness
"I tried to get an appointment to schedule and get in and find out that you have to walk in... I'm not some lazy SOB who's on SSID and have a job so some of us actually need appointments."
— Birdeye review"By “reducing overstimulation and enhancing safety and privacy,” dedicated behavioral health pods can start de-escalation more quickly and “begin the path to healing” faster..."
— Altoona Mirror reporting on the new behavioral health podSynthesized from public review platforms as of Jul 11, 2026 — sources: [1][2][3][4].
In the News
- Hospital opens behavioral health pod | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror — Jul 12, 2025
- UPMC Altoona opens innovative mental health unit — Jul 11, 2025
- State talks $775K investment in UPMC Altoona crisis services | WTAJ - www.wtaj.com — Apr 14, 2026
- UPMC behavioral health pod highlighted in visit by Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs secretary | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror — Apr 15, 2026
- UPMC behavioral health pod highlighted in visit by Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs secretary | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror — Apr 14, 2026
Information sourced from the clinic's website as of July 11, 2026.
More behavioral health clinics in Altoona
Comparing your options?
See other behavioral health clinics in Altoona, or search the full directory by insurance, ratings, and more.

