Project Ntsuag Siab
Why We Chose This Name – and What It Means for Our Community
A Community in Pain
For over 50 years, the Hmong community in Wisconsin has carried deep, unaddressed trauma stemming from wars, displacement, and cultural dislocation. These wounds have never been healed through systems that understand or respect Hmong cultural identity. As a result, we are seeing a heartbreaking rise in:
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Drugs/Alcohol abuse
-
Suicide
-
Untreated mental and behavioral health challenges
We are at a critical moment—a crisis point where historical trauma, intergenerational conflict, and cultural identity struggles are culminating in devastating outcomes for Hmong individuals and families.
Healing Must Begin with Cultural Understanding
To truly support mental health in the Hmong community, we must create resources and services that are:
-
Culturally grounded
-
Language accessible
-
Community-driven
-
Emotionally safe
Why “Ntsuag Siab”?
A cultural symbol of hidden pain in Hmong, “Ntsuag Siab” means “Orphaned Heart.” In traditional stories and village life in Laos, “Ntsuag Nos” or “Orphan” is often seen as:
-
Dirty and hungry
-
Dressed in torn clothes
-
Defeated, forgotten, and hopeless
This imagery is powerful—and it resonates deeply.
Today, however, it is the opposite. Many Hmong youth may appear outgoing, confident, and happy on the outside—but inside, they may be silently carrying deep emotional pain. This hidden struggle is what NEW HMong named as “Ntsuag Siab,” or “Orphaned Heart”—a heart that feels lost, misunderstood, and alone. It reflects the quiet suffering many endure beneath the surface, shaped by the challenge of navigating two worlds (Hmong and American at the same time), conflicting expectations, and unspoken generational and historical trauma.
“Ntsuag Siab” is a metaphor—a way to understand mental health pain through a cultural lens that invites empathy instead of shame.
Our Mission
Project Ntsuag Siab is an initiative by NEW HMong dedicated to:
-
Demystifying mental health and suicide within the Hmong community
-
Providing culturally responsive tools, education, and healing strategies
-
Reframing stigma into compassion and cultural relevance
-
Fostering systems of care that reflect Hmong values and lived experiences
Our Vision
Healing the Orphaned Heart.
We believe that every Ntsuag Siab deserves:
-
Clarity
-
Hope
-
Healing
-
Love
-
Happiness
All while remaining connected to Hmong identity, tradition, and resilience.
Join Us in Creating Change
We invite community members, health providers, and allies to support Project Ntsuag Siab. Together, we can build a future where Hmong hearts are no longer orphaned—but restored, understood, and embraced.