Asian American mental health isn't improving.

We don't need just more research, we need a solution that works.

Raising awareness about mental health is a good thing. Sure, we’ve made progress and it is still much needed.

Yet, here we are, in 2024, where the next generation under age 25 have more access to information about mental health and all kinds of other information. But the most recent studies are indicating that mental health indicators for the next generation are not improving (cf. More Asian young people are dying by suicide—and some subgroups are faring worse than others) How can that be?

There will be undoubtedly more professional & academic research looking into the reason why. I would also say this: raising awareness is not enough. The numbers show that our next generation are not getting the help they need even though they have more awareness. So what’s going on?

There are four major barriers to Asian Americans’ mental health treatment, even those in the next generation. I had the privilege and honor to share these at a mental health event in Atlanta back in March 2024, but due to technical difficulties, there is no recording. But, I can share the slides from that presentation.

And, I’ve got another invite to speak about this very topic—plus share about a very practical solution that overcomes those barriers—at a free online event coming up on October 10th, 2024.

Church Mental Health Summit 24

The Church Mental Health Summit is available for free on October 10th, 2024. Last year’s event reached over 13,000 people in over 125 countries with its world-class speakers and presenters, along with other practitioners and people with lived experiences.

This year’s speaker lineup includes 6 Asian Americans, along with other speakers & authors like Carey Nieuwhof, Matthew Stanford, Latasha Morrison, John Swinton, Curt Thompson, Jamie Aten, Chris Adams, Daniel Whitehead, and more. Thanks to Laura Howe at Hope Made Strong and sponsors for hosting this most valuable summit!

Click here to get more info and register free. You can also purchase an all access pass for on demand viewing of the videos anytime.

And because you’re a subscriber to my updates, you can watch this short excerpt from my upcoming talk:

Introduction & Invitation to Healing Group on September 18

Join special guest Charisa Kim on this monthly Asian American mental health webinar on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 @ 6pm Pacific / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern. You’ll learn what a healing group is and get an invitation to join a 6-week experience of healing journey in an online group starting this October. Share this free gift of healing from heart wounds with someone you care about.

Travels for the Next 2 Months

I’ll be one of the workshop speakers at this first annual conference about Mental Health and the Church. (Coincidentally, I just found out there was another event in New Orleans back in June also called the Mental Health & The Church.)

Before that trip, I’ll be attending an Asian Mental Health Collective team meeting for in St. Louis; followed by a family visit in the DMV, the newish name for the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Then it’s back to Los Angeles for the Giving Summit hosted by the Korean American Community Foundation.

After my time in Cleveland, I’ll be going to Atlanta for the AAPA (Asian American Psychological Association) Convention on October 4-5; just attending, so I can relax, take in the sights and sounds.

During any of my travels, or when I’m at the homebase in the OC (Orange County, California), I’d love to connect with you in person—text me 949-243-7260 to reach me most expediently.

The Way to Improve Asian American Mental Health

From my limited experience, without all the evidence-based research or data backing me up, I believe the best way to improve Asian American mental health in a sustainable and scalable manner is for churches to activate mental health ministry that care & support people in their life challenges. At the heart of one’s healing journey requires healthy relationships with people, not only more research or resources.

This isn’t to say that we don’t need mental health professionals; it is to say that the current health care system will never be enough to mitigate the increasing mental health crisis in America and around the world. Dr. James Sells poignantly noted in his book, Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis—

Here is where we are: our mental health needs are growing at an exponential rate. We see evidence of a new culture emerging from within the church to address it. The professional mental health culture should support innovative expressions of mental health ministry because the church can contribute in ways the professional culture cannot due to the size and expense of current models of care.

Christian Asian Mental Health provides coaching and resources to activate mental health ministry in each Asian American church in a cost-effective manner. It doesn’t get any more cost-effective than free (for a limited time).

I know this work may not be accomplished in my lifetime, and I’m okay with that. I’ll do what I can as a bi-vocational digital strategist, and being a mental health coach pro bono. I would like to set a great foundation for future co-workers to continue this work.

Please prayerfully consider donating to help cover expenses incurred from travels to speaking and coaching engagements. Thanks in advance.

Please pray for connections with open-handed collaborative partners—nonprofits, clinicians, denominations, associations, ministries, and others. I would love to have more partnerships to share in this great work, because none of us can do it alone.

— DJ Chuang, Executive Director of Catalyst Wellness Alliance • 949-243-7260