WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) — Last week, the Hmong American Center (HAC) was awarded a $90,000 APRA HCBS Social Isolation and Loneliness grant by the Wisconsin Department of Health services.

HAC Executive Director Yee Leng Xiong said focusing on the mental health of the elders in the Southeast Asian Community will be made a priority with this new grant.

He said the pandemic helped shined a light on the disparities for mental health that older people in the Hmong community are faced with.

The new grant would be divided about half and half between a direct client services specialist and new programming.

That type of programming would not only help elders with their mental health, but help them speak up for themselves.

“When we have programs like this, the elders come and enjoy themselves,” said Xiong. “They get to interact with others, but they also come up to our staff and tell our staff that, ‘Oh. I don’t have enough food to eat for this week.’”

They would also learn more about the idea of their mental health.

“Although it’s old, the concept of it is new for them,” said Xiong. “They don’t understand a lot of the treatments for it so it’s harder for them to grasp it. They know there’s something wrong with them and they want to get it served or addressed.”

Xiong said it all helps tackle issues before they become bigger problems. 

The grant will be in effect from June 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.