First Anniversary of CAMH Monthly Updates

learning how every conversation builds up our mental health together

We’ve reach the one year milestone of CAMH updates here on Substack. Thank you for being a subscriber, whether you’ve read all of the updates or if this is your first one. Browse the archive to see all that’s happened in the first year; and we’re just getting started! More to come!

AAPI Arts & Mental Wellness Weekend in Atlanta

This update is being written as I’m en route to Atlanta for the AAPI Arts & Mental Wellness Weekend on August 9-11, 2024, in Norcross, Georgia (northern suburb of greater Atlanta.)

Do you know someone in Atlanta? Please forward this email and invite them to come for the fun and fulfillment! And if you’re in Atlanta, I’d love to meetup—just text me 949-243-7260 to #hmu (hit me up.)

How Childhood, Church, and Culture Shapes You

Dr. Stan Sonu’s presentation, “Embracing Shalom,” may well be the most insightful talk that answers both of these questions for many Asian Americans, “Where are you from?” and “What happened to you?” Dr. Sonu explains how making sense of our stories and the impact of childhood experiences can guide us to being known, healthy community, holistic well-being, and spiritual flourishing. Watch the video at catalystwa.org/events, along with previous webinars for Asian American pastors about mental health & wellness.

More Mental Health Events in September & October

In last month’s update, I shared about the Mental Health & the Church Conference in Cleveland on September 26-27 (where I’ll be one of the speakers) and the Connections Conference in the Washington DC area on October 24-25.

Just found out about this training event in the Los Angeles area on October 23rd: the 30th Annual Asian American Mental Health Training Conference with the theme, “Working with Asian American Families: Principles and Practices.” Attend this event in its entirety for six CEU credits; hosted by the Consortium on Asian American Mental Health Training.

So That Every Conversation Counts and Builds

I was so energized by many lively conversations during my July road trips to San Diego and Silicon Valley. Every one of them was an open opportunity to talk about what we’re doing here at CAMH (Christian Asian Mental Health).

As it says in Ephesians 4:29b (NIV), “building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Yes, we’re building up the body of Christ when we speak words of encouragement and empowerment to one another, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Healthy conversations help each of our spiritual lives, and mental health & wellness too.

One church I visited already has a team of people praying and planning for launching their mental health ministry as part of the church’s vision, “to build a community that reaches the distressed, downcast and lost with the healing gospel of Jesus Christ.” Another group of Asian American Christian therapists is launching a collaborative network to provide care & support for clinicians and professionals.

Both of these are examples of where CAMH is providing its coaching and resources to help where it can and as much as it’s able & available. This is called partnering by working together on a common project.

Compassionate Care for Mental Health in a Chinese Church

And, I met up with a Chinese couple in Cupertino who started a mental health ministry in 2016 at a Chinese church that’s blossomed into a robust continuum of care in both Chinese 中文 and English! Read more about this at the CAMH blog.

Partnering on a Common Mission

By reading this monthly update, please take a moment to pray for our ministry and work in mental health ministry. This is called intercession.

There are three other ways you can partner with CAMH on this mission to bring mental health ministry to every Asian American church:

• Introducing - share with churches & pastors about the resources and coaching that CAMH is providing to Asian American churches, by forwarding this email and sharing the CAMH website link camh.network

• Investing - make a donation to support our efforts at camh.network/donation

• Involving - become a volunteer with your church or with CAMH; let’s talk

Thank you for your partnership!

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