On January 12, at the VMU representative office in Vilnius (L. and F. Mockūnai Space), a conversation took place with former representative of the World Lithuanian Community in Lithuania, Skirma Kondratienė.

The meeting focused on the topic of mental health in the context of migration. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Ilona Strumickienė and featured contributions from Prof. Egidijus Aleksandravičius and Dr. Daiva Kuzmickaitė.

During the meeting, it was noted that migrants are among those who experience more frequent mental health challenges. “The reasons can vary – from a foreign culture and changed material conditions, to what is known as migration grief, and many other factors,” said I. Strumickienė.

S. Kondratienė shared her thoughts, noting that Lithuanian communities abroad often formed because “people needed something of their own, a space where they could feel safer, and support one another.”