Parenting Seminars, and Personal Thoughts

Valuable Asian Parenting Seminars during the Whole Month of May!

First, an announcement about the Asian Parenting Seminars this May; and then some sharing about my personal life from me, DJ Chuang.

Celebrate AAPI and Mental Health Month with Catalyst Wellness Alliance’s exclusive Asian Parent Seminar Series. Every Wednesday evening during the month of May, join the live webinar with crucial discussions in a safe, supportive environment crafted especially for Asian American parents.

Accomplished presenters—four Ph.D.’s and one influencer—will inspire and equip you in facing the challenges and opportunities, all from the comfort of your own homes. These weekly seminars are free and made possible by our sponsors and partners.

Speakers & Topics:

• May 1, Dr. Josephine Kim - “Effective Parents Take Pause for Mental Health”

• May 8, Dr. Russell Jeung - “Asian American Love Language”

• May 15, Dr. Elena Kim - “Academics and Mental Health”

• May 22, Dr. Suzan Song - “Neurobiology of Adolescents Development and AAPI Identity”

• May 29, Therapist Jeanie Chang - “Intergenerational Mental Health and K-Dramas”

Get all the details and register at asianparenting.org & forward this email to others in your churches and communities to share this very valuable resource!

Some of My Personal Thoughts

This email newsletter started off with personal prayer partners, as I was recovering from a mental health crisis back in 2017 and it’s grown to include others who care and support for my personal well-being and also the ministry work I do as a mental health advocate. And I’m much more comfortable sharing personally than professionally, so if you’re more inclined to enjoy a personal voice and sharing casually, then you’ll enjoy reading on with my commentary on life.

As I was hanging out with a friend one evening recently, we meandered about the irregular rhythm of when I send these out. I’m aiming for once a month, but it’s not delivered consistently on the same day or weekday of each month. For me, I have a very low ranking on consistency, according to one of those personality assessment tests, so these get written and sent out when I get to them.

The year 2024 has been challenging for my personal productivity, because it started with six weeks of recovery from flu and layered with depression. Then the past two weeks has been recovery from a sinus infection. Both have greatly limited my energy and time on being productive. That’s been a sobering.

During those down times, when I’ve spent many hours laying in bed, resting my mind and body, drinking lots of liquids. I’ve kept a simple practice of relying on the mercy of God. Oh, Lord have mercy. And whatever my lot, God is teaching me to say, it is well with my soul. Life is worth living. This too shall pass. Simple phrases that help me to get through day by day, moment by moment.

Interspersed between the down times, I did travel to Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and San Francisco, connecting with numerous people on Christian Asian mental health as well as generosity. Also got to share a sermon, too. I’d love to share more about all of these activities with you one day.

I’ve always found it easier to boast in my weaknesses. Some of that comes from feeling inferior, having timidity, not being ambitious, and perhaps undiagnosed performance anxiety.

Nevertheless, I press on, and do what I can with advocating for mental health among Asian Americans, both in Christian communities and non-faith digital communities at large. Thank you for reading some of my personal remarks and being on the journey with me.

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