Hi John,
My name is Huyen Vo, a DACAmented licensed psychotherapist and facilitator of the UndocuAPI Wellness Support Group.
Growing up in a Vietnamese immigrant household, mental health was something that my family did not really talk about. Surviving through complex trauma as the eldest daughter– losing my home and my mom to a house fire, immigrating with limited knowledge of my new home country, and navigating systems while caring for my family– required great strength and in many instances, setting aside my emotions and wellbeing.
Amidst my family's hardships, I learned the importance of collective care and asking for help. Even though we felt like we were alone in our struggles, the reality was that everyone around us was also experiencing pain. Knowing that there is a shared humanity in our experiences, we learned to seek support from and lean on each other and our community. Through community care, I knew that my struggles were not mine to carry alone, and that made it a little more bearable.
In difficult times, we get so focused on surviving that we forget to pause, breathe, and remember to open ourselves to love. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that we can thrive, even when there’s pain. We can feel pain, but we can do so without suffering. We can care and be cared for through our loved ones and our communities.
If you or someone you know would like to get started in reflecting on or seeking support for mental health, check out:
Sincerely,
Huyen "Kiki" Vo, LCSW
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