Kajsiab House, Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc., Madison, WI
Principal Investigator: Linda Keys, M.S.S.W.
Program Manager: Doua Vang
Program Evaluator: Nancy Young
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 take place in the Hmong language and the atmosphere reflects 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.