CAMH Update January 2026
Because relationships are most valuable, I'm making more space to connect.
Happy New Year! Even as we’re into the 3rd week of January, the lunar new year hasn’t arrived yet, so we’re all just getting started, right?
Thank God it’s 2026. I’ll share more about my personal health at the end of this edition. And, I’m anticipating to see many of you at this upcoming mental health conference for Asian American Christians, including pastors, professionals, and everyday people.
Let’s Get Together on April 10-11
Come to Southern California on April 10-11 and experience this Asian American Christian mental health conference » “Our Flourishing, Our Faith: Navigating Rupture and Repair in Asian American Christian Communities.” Be in the room where it’s going to be happening! Attend in person for all the connections & conversations at Biola University (La Mirada, California); or, participate virtually for free wherever you are.
See event website for info & schedule at ourflourishing.org—register with an early bird discount before January 31, 2026.
How Your Church Can Care Better for More People
I was (DJ Chuang) delighted and honored to meet Dr. James Sells at a Christian Association for Psychological Studies conference in 2024. At that time, his book (“Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis”) explained how the church has a most valuable & vital role in addressing the mental health crisis in our world today, because we cannot train enough professional counselors to help all the people who need help.
Dr. Sells recently co-authored a new book with Shaunti Feldhahn, “When Hurting People Come to Church: How People of Faith Can Help Solve the Mental Health Crisis.” This book makes it all the more practical for a church like yours to lead healing without burning out its leaders, especially pastors.
They shared on the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast about how lay people can care for 60% of the hurting people who come to churches, while also being trained adequately for how to triage and refer out to professionals when necessary. This episode is a compelling listen; or, you can watch the video.
A New Chapter & My Personal Update
One thing that Christian Asian Mental Health seeks to do is help Asian & Asian American churches better care for the wellness of its congregation and community. In our early years of advocacy and raising awareness, we’ve taken a few good first steps.
Last year, in 2025, CAMH became a part of DeoWorks; they’re serving as our nonprofit incubator and relational community for doing more & better together. That was a timely connection and collaboration, as I (DJ Chuang) had to slow down and take a pause for self-care. And by God’s grace and goodness, I’ve entered a new chapter of my life, that of becoming a grandfather! What a milestone of aging gracefully. Thanks be to God!
By the end of the year, God provided much needed healing and renewal. It’s a longer story for another time. I’m grateful to feel rejuvenated and living at a more reasonable and moderate pace.
As I have become healthier, I am eager and ready to engage with people to bring more health & wellness to churches. This means I am opening up my calendar and making it easier to set a time for meeting in person or online. This is your invitation. Let’s talk soon.
• DJ Chuang, Director of Christian Asian Mental Health, in partnership with DeoWorks • 949-243-7260 •
p.s. Here’s a bonus for getting to the end. Contact DJ Chuang about a special discount registration to attend the April 10-11 mental health conference for Asian American Christians. Churches that bring a team of 3 or more to the conference will receive an extra gift valued at $56.