Mental Health Support
Feeling Stressed? Talk to 'Hope'
“Hope” is a FREE chat service providing encouragement and strategies to manage everyday stress and anxiety using chatbot technology. Catholic Charities Diocese of Madison is pleased to offer this chat service to anyone at no cost in partnership with Catholic Charities USA.
- Text “Hi” to Hope at 202-949-7249 to get instant support. When asked for the start code, please enter CCMAD.
- Hope is secure and confidential, just like conversations with a healthcare professional. She’s available 24/7.
- She is trained by psychologists and uses self-learning artificial intelligence, meaning the more you chat, the more she learns how best to help you.
- Hope is used by more than 19 million users worldwide.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Mental Health in Schools
- Building Bridges is a school-based mental health program that serves students in grades 4K-9, with immediate mental health needs, and their families. Please reach out to your child’s school social worker if you’re interested in learning more about making a referral to Building Bridges.
About Building Bridges
Building Bridges provides 90-day intensive wrap around support to Dane County students in 4K through 9th grade with immediate mental health needs, and their families. The Building Bridge team consists of two professionals who provide crisis stabilization and prevention services. The primary objective of the Building Bridges program is to decrease mental health crisis events of students in the school setting and provide needed family supports to ensure the student’s behavioral stability and readiness for learning.
Our Purpose
Building Bridges seeks to support children’s educational experience by working with students, family, community agencies, and school staff to develop and promote emotional wellness. We work with school staff to connect students and their families to resources in the school and surrounding community.
How We Help
Trained and experienced staff assist schools and families by:
- Providing up to 90 days of wrap-around support
- Assisting schools with proactive responses
- Providing professional development consultation on mental health and trauma-related issues
- Providing consultation and resources to school staff
Who We Serve
Building Bridges serves students in grades 4K-9 with immediate mental health needs and their families in the following school districts:
- DeForest Area School District
- Madison Metropolitan School District
- Mount Horeb Area School District
- Monona Grove School District
- Oregon School District
- Stoughton Area School District
- Sun Prairie Area School District
- Verona Area School District
- Waunakee Community School District
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Those already receiving community- or school-based services participate?
Building Bridges is available to any student enrolled in the participating school districts. Building Bridges staff will determine if participation will enhance your child’s success.
Will Building Bridges staff meet with families outside of school hours?
Building Bridges works with families to find times that work best for the family during the school week.
Is there a cost to participate?
There is no cost to families for services offered through Building Bridges.
Our Outcomes
For Parents
93% of parents now know how to support their children at school and home as a result of working with the Building Bridges team.
For Teachers
65% of teachers have more tools to provide effective instructional strategies for their students since the involvement of Building Bridges.
