Hmong Institute to tackle mental health in free workshops – Madison.com

We have people not wanting to go outside for fear of being hit or attacked, Vue said. Like, you go to the store and people say things like, Go back home,' or youre in the parking lot and people hit you, or youre out voting and people look at you like you dont belong here.

People who used to casually stroll around their neighborhoods for an evening walk have skipped summer sunsets and retreated into the gymnasium at the Hmong Institute instead.

Elders will come and walk around the gym to exercise and reduce their social isolation, Vue said. Typically, they would walk at home in the evening but now they are in fear.... Many times we have just ignored it, but it is an issue that faces us on a daily basis. So thats why were doing this series of workshops.

It is not just elders who have been having a difficult time.

The youth are having challenges having to do with racial tension at school, bullying at school, identity issues, family expectations of them, Vue said. We will eventually (after this workshop) do some more youth dialogue.

The virtual workshopscheduleand topics include: how COVID-19 has impacted our well being; mental health and addiction; depression across the lifespan; and PTSD and trauma.

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Hmong Institute to tackle mental health in free workshops - Madison.com