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Kajsiab House
What Is Kasjiab House?
In Hmong, kajsiab (Ga shee'ah) means the relief of stress and tension
from worrying about the safety of loved ones. Kajsiab House, founded in January
2000, is a program of the Mental Health Center for Dane County, Inc., in Madison,
Wisconsin. It was developed for the Hmong community as a place where Hmong
elders and their families could be safe, express and experience their culture,
and increase their understanding and ability to live successfully within
American culture. This unique center provides a truly therapeutic setting
for all community members. Services are provided in the Hmong language in
an atmosphere that acknowledges and respects Hmong values, traditions, beliefs,
and customs. Kajsiab House treats primarily major depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety...Kajsiab House incorporates
culturally appropriate activities such as t'ai chi, English and acculturation
classes, social groups, and alternative healing methods and medicines to
improve mental health outcomes. Through mobile outreach, Kajsiab House
provides psychiatric and social services to the large population of
homebound Hmong elders in the community.
To view the Kasjiab House brochure, see:
(http://www.mhcdc.org/Assets%20MHC/KHbrochure.pdf)
Who Receives Services at Kasjiab House?
Kajsiab House participants are made up of Hmong-American veterans, widows of veterans and adults who have severe health problems because of their services and sacrifices in America’s “Secret War” in Laos from 1961-1975. Of the 5,000 Hmong Americans living in Dane County, over 300 are war veterans or widows of veterans. A high percentage of these elders live with severe health problems, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and chronic pain that were caused by their war and refugee experiences. In addition, their assimilation into American society has been complicated by language, cultural and transportation barriers, as well as unmet social and health problems that social services and health care providers lack the resources to address.
Program Services
Cultural Brokering & Case Management--Professional bilingual cultural brokers provide counseling (individual, family, group) service, advocacy, translation, and case management
Hmong Sister Group--Hmong women counseling and support group
Psychological, Psychiatric, & Alternative Medicine Services--Individual, family, group therapeutic services
Social/Recreational Activities--Field trips, social gatherings, games
Transportation--Available to Kajsiab House participants
After School Programming--Academic and social support to children of Kajsiab House clients
Community Computer Room--For academic research/job support
T’ai Chi--Healthy physical/mental activities for Hmong adults/elders
Meal Program--Nutritious breakfast and lunch
Hmong & English Classes--Weekly language classes
Citizenship Classes
Internship—For college students and professionals to better understand of Hmong health issues and culture
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