The Fresno Center is proud to highlight the work of our team at the Holistic Wellness Program and the Living Well Center. Since 2012, the Holistic Wellness Program has held monthly Cross-Cultural Workshops focused on addressing mental health stigma, barriers in accessing care, and cultural considerations in providing care for traditionally underserved populations including but not limited to workshops focused on African American, Latino, Punjabi, Native American, Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, and other underserved groups.

In honor of Men’s Health Month, and as a tribute to our agency’s origin, June’s Cross-Cultural Workshop included staff from our Living Well Center sharing insights and highlighting some of the work they are doing to support Southeast Asian clients with their mental health. Mental health can be hard to talk about in many communities. For Southeast Asian men, some of the barriers to care include cultural expectations, stigma, language barriers, traditional views of masculinity, intergenerational trauma, and the role of family and community.

Workshops like this support The Fresno Center’s mission to serve with care, respect, and understanding. Having culturally aware mental health professionals, culturally relevant materials, and appropriate language access, helps build trust. Additionally, by hosting open conversations about mental health, we are helping break stigmatizing beliefs and encouraging people to get the help and support they need one step at a time.