Mental Health Support | Catholic Charities of Madison

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. 

Our Location

211 S Main St, Suite 102
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
920-563-9375

Mental Health in Schools

Building Healthy Students, Safe Schools, & Successful Learners

About Building Bridges

Building Bridges provides 90-day intensive wrap around support to Dane County students in 4K through 8th 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.

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How We Help

Trained and experienced staff assist schools and families by:

Who We Serve

Building Bridges serves students in grades 4K-8 with immediate mental health needs and their families in the following school districts:

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

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For Parents

95% of parents feel included in their child’s school experience as a result of working with the Building Bridges team.
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For Teachers

65% of teachers have more tools to provide effective instructional strategies for their students since the involvement of Building Bridges.

Contact Us

CATHERINE BROCK

Director of FAMILY PROGRAMS
(608) 826-8061

Trischia Bindley

Program Manager for Building Bridges
(608) 826-8011

“Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will inspire others.” – Unknown