CCUSA, X2AI provide mental health support through “Hope” program

July 14, 2021

(Alexandria, Va.) – Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), one of the nation’s leading social service providers, has joined forces with X2AI to provide easy and immediate access to mental health support through a chatbot named Hope.

“X2AI’s unique technology will help individuals build resilience through tough times,” said Sister Donna Markham OP, PhD, president and CEO of CCUSA. “Catholic Charities seeks the most innovative solutions available to address the needs in the communities it serves and we are glad our agencies can provide this added benefit to their clients.”

Built by clinical psychologists, the chatbot connects clients through AI-driven text conversations that are available in both English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to X2AI, research studies found that using the chatbot led to significantly reduced symptoms, on average by 28% for depression and 18% for anxiety. If warranted, a connection with a Catholic Charities or other licensed therapist can be made. If someone’s response suggests that they are contemplating suicide or are at immediate risk of domestic violence, they will receive an immediate call from a crisis counselor.

“In the past year at X2AI we provided mental health support to hundreds of thousands of people and de-escalated thousands of suicidal crisis situations. We are honored to partner with Catholic Charities USA to make it possible to offer our service free of charge to the many people in need,” said Michiel Rauws, CEO and founder of X2AI.

This program is currently available to five pilot agencies with the goal of expanding the program to Catholic Charities agencies across the country.