Integrated Health
Catholic Charities believes that through care for the whole person — physical, mental and spiritual well-being, or what the church calls integral human development — everyone can realize their full potential.
Help vulnerable people become their best selves.
The Challenge
The demand for behavioral health services far exceeds the nation’s capacity, leaving few options for those with the fewest resources. Mental health problems can impact all areas of life, from employment to relationships, with far-reaching effects on those suffering and on the broader community.
Watch one woman’s triumphant journey from client to peer advocate for individuals
living with persistent and complex behavioral health issues.
The Response
A client who is homeless, sick and vulnerable needs health care and behavioral health services, as well as social services. Many Catholic Charities agencies collaborate with local health systems and other partners to offer counseling, addiction recovery, case management and caregiver support.
Local health systems
A Range of Supports
Local Catholic Health Association member systems provide clients medical support, data exchange, on-site behavioral health services and emergency assistance in conjunction with the social support provided by CCUSA member agencies.
increasing wellness
Case Management
Evidence indicates that it takes intensive support services from qualified case managers engaged with clients and connecting them to necessary services to increase and maintain wellness indicators.
low barriers to care
Behavioral Health
Catholic Charities agencies, with their long history of serving anyone in need, provide evidence-based, strengths-focused, affordable and low-barrier behavioral health services.
unique programs
The Tech Connection
Pilot programs connect those in need with service providers in novel ways, such as Nurse Disrupted, which virtually connects RNs to homeless and vulnerable populations, and Hope Chatbot, which helps clients manage everyday stress and promotes self-care.
positive impacts
Health Outcomes
More than 1,500 programs and services positively impact health outcomes and influence the social determinants of health: housing, income, employment, education, family and social support, community safety and access to food and transportation.
Need assistance? Find a local Catholic Charities agency.
The Social Determinants of Health
and Well-being
Positive health and wellness outcomes are based on more than healthy habits and medical care. Often, they are based on choices we make and factors within our control; just as often, they are not. Poverty and racism play a significant role in who enjoys good health and who does not.
Air and water quality, housing and transit
Access to health care and medication
Diet, nutrition and use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs
Access to safe housing and healthy food; stable income and access to transportation/transit; educational opportunities; family and social support; community safety
Catholic Charities agencies aim to serve clients holistically, offering programs and services that can influence the social and economic factors (40%) and the physical environmental factors (10%) that contribute to clients’ overall health and well-being.
As a Catholic institution, we promote integral human development, or the development of the whole person — emotionally, physically, intellectually, spiritually and socially.
Through creative and innovative collaboration with the healthcare system, Catholic Charities agencies can help clients achieve even more positive health outcomes for themselves and their families. CCUSA’s Healthy Housing Initiative is an excellent example of this type of collaboration.
Featured story
Grief and grace in Uvalde
Catholic Charities San Antonio accompanied a community through unimaginable loss after a school shooting.
Editorial photo credit: Jinitzail Hernandez / Shutterstock.com
The Impact
Catholic Charities is committed to providing comprehensive services to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
600,000+
People receiving behavioral health and wellness services
8,000+
Catholic Charities wellness and behavioral health staff
12,820
Clients connected to primary care providers
Advocacy
Every two years, after a new Congress is seated, CCUSA’s Social Policy Team crafts legislative priorities and recommendations based on the ongoing efforts of the Catholic Charities network of agencies and the needs of the vulnerable populations Catholic Charities serves.
Testimonial
It was just my journey of living well and fully with mental illness, and you can do both. It is possible.
Jean, former client turned staff person, Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton
PROGRAM LEAD
Ben Wortham
Ben is the vice president for behavioral health integration, leading the integrated health strategic priority and providing technical support to 168 Catholic Charities agencies across the country. Ensuring these agencies have robust relationships with healthcare systems is a major priority for his team. Ben also leads CCUSA’s aging section, co-leads the veterans section and works with the Healthy Housing Initiative.
Program Stories
