Personal Recovery Stories: Peggy Finds Her Home with RHA

May 21, 2026

Six years ago, Peggy began her mental health treatment with RHA Health Services, transforming her life after working with her care team to personalize her treatment plan, living situation, and activities. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Peggy shares her story to encourage others struggling with their mental health. 

In 2020, Peggy was discharged from a hospital stay to a personal care home operated by RHA Health Services in Pennsylvania. Peggy was dissatisfied with her previous mental health care provider because their team was small, and they did not take her out into the community. Her outlook quickly changed at RHA. She was pleasantly surprised to be supported by a comprehensive team, including a housing specialist, substance use specialist, case manager, peer support specialist, and more. Peggy felt that they really heard her voice and honored her wishes, like going into her community, when designing her treatment plan. 

However, in 2022, Peggy faced a tremendous challenge when her leg was broken in a car accident. Walking was very important to Peggy; it helped her maintain her mental health and independence. She worried about the next part of her recovery. While Peggy was in rehab, RHA Behavioral Health Director Kim Dugan saw a chance to move her into another personal care home that was more accessible. Today, Peggy walks with the help of a walker and still loves her home, crediting Kim with knowing exactly what support she needed when she was struggling most. 

In the personal care home, Peggy lives with other residents in mental health treatment. There are both shared and private rooms, and Peggy has a private bedroom, where she loves to do word searches, read suspense and mystery books, watch the news, and call her sister. Clinical staff, including a psychiatrist and therapist, visit the home to provide care on-site. RHA staff coordinate activities both inside and outside the home, like bingo, therapy pets, and feeding ducks. Peggy especially enjoys when the book mobile visits the home.  

“The RHA staff goes above and beyond. They’re like my friends. They’ve been tremendous,” says Peggy. She thanks Team Leader Joe Grelecki, Nurse John Malia, Peer Support Specialist Teresa Beers, and many others. When Peggy needed assistance clearing a storage unit, it was added to her treatment plan, and Joe and John showed up to help her. Staff frequently talk with Peggy about her personal goals and prioritize her wish to connect with her family and community. Her children visit her often, and once a week, Peggy visits her daughter’s work, Burger King. Teresa frequently takes Peggy out to run errands and visit the thrift store and library. 

With RHA’s help, Peggy has stabilized her mental health over the past six years. She says through recovery, “I have become more peaceful and aware. I have tools to better myself and improve my behavior. I have compassion for the people I live with who are struggling too. I used to cope through walking, and when I was using a wheelchair, I reconnected with reading. I feel that with RHA’s support, I have become more constructive and use my time well. I have such a good support team in my corner.” 

RHA recently launched our “Get My Me Back” campaign to destigmatize mental health treatment. Peggy’s story perfectly demonstrates that, with the right services and team, you can reclaim the parts of your life that mental illness takes away. It is possible to reconnect with the activities, people, and moments that make you feel like yourself again. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, RHA wants to help. Reaching out is the first step. We can discuss your options and help you find the right support for you. To find services, visit rhahealth.org/locations.