A shortage of mental health clinicians in Greater Houston has caused serious challenges for low-income populations. Fortunately, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and its staff of 13 bilingual mental health counselors will help anyone in need, no matter their faith or ability to pay.

That changed the life of 11-year-old Chini, who was acting out in school and not getting along with his teachers and classmates. “He would walk out of school, climb a tree and refuse to come down,” his mother recounted. It escalated to the point that Chini threatened suicide. He was then hospitalized and diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and was placed with other children with the same diagnosis without any guidance as to how to manage his emotions.

In April, 2024, his mother saw a Catholic Charities mobile unit at a park and requested counseling for her son. Since then, Chini has learned coping skills that have made a tremendous difference in his behavior and mental health.

“He socializes better with neighbors and classmates without becoming angry or wanting to fight,” his mother said. Chini is now an “A” student and utilizes the coping skills he learned in therapy.

“Counseling has helped me, my mom, and even my siblings,” Chini said. “When I lost days of school as a result of crisis, my mom would have to pull my sisters out of school, too. My oldest sister told me that one day she was at school taking a test and was not able to concentrate because she was worried about me. Now all of that has passed.”

Chini is just one of more than 600 people who received mental health assistance from Catholic Charities in FY 2024 (July 2023-June 2024). The agency received a total of $150,000 in CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grant funding from St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center to support mental health services.

Through other Catholic Charities programs and services, clothing, housing and food assistance are provided to the most vulnerable in Harris County and the Greater Houston area. “We are unique in that we are like a one-stop shop,” said Danielle Mendez, Catholic Charities lead clinician. “And we are one of the few agencies who can provide these services regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Otherwise, many would go without.”

“Lending a hand to those in need, particularly the underserved in Greater Houston, is at the heart of the mission of St. Luke’s Health,” said Jim Parisi, president of St. Luke’s-The Woodlands. “Without Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, many people would simply go without much-needed mental health, food, housing, and other assistance, to the detriment of their health and well-being.”

One in five individuals in the United States needs mental health services. Often, they also need housing, food, and more. The CommonSpirit Community Health Improvement Grant will help Catholic Charities expand its services and ensure that more people in the Greater Houston area receive the assistance they need.