For Church Leaders

Start a Mental Health Ministry at Your Church

A practical guide for Asian American church leaders — with a proven model, CAMH resources, and personal coaching to help you get started.

Talk with DJ Chuang
Getting started

Three steps to launch your ministry

You don't need a big budget or a clinical background. Start here.

1
Begin with prayer and a small team

Assemble 3–5 volunteers who care about mental health. Begin with a season of prayer — seek God's wisdom and direction before planning any programs.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

James 1:5
2
Go through The Sanctuary Course together

Have your team work through The Sanctuary Course — an eight-session study guide that explores key mental health topics and equips your team to offer companionship, support recovery, and promote wellbeing in your congregation. This builds shared language and vision before you launch anything publicly.

3
Implement the 5-ingredient ministry model

CAMH's proven model gives your church five regular practices that build a culture of mental health and wellness. See the full model below — and reach out to CAMH for personalized coaching to fit it to your congregation.

The CAMH model

5 ingredients for a healthy church

These five practices, done consistently, transform the mental health culture of a congregation. See the full model →

S1
Sermons
Preach on mental health, emotional wellbeing, and the theology of suffering — normalizing the conversation from the pulpit.
S2
Stories
Invite congregation members to share personal testimonies of mental health struggles and healing — breaking stigma through lived experience.
S3
Seminars
Host educational workshops on topics like anxiety, grief, trauma, or family dynamics — equipping the congregation with practical knowledge.
S4
Support Groups
Create ongoing small groups for people walking through depression, anxiety, grief, or family struggles — community in the hard seasons.
S5
Sabbath
Teach and model rest as a spiritual practice — countering the hustle culture and shame-driven overwork patterns common in Asian American communities. Rest is a statement of faith.

It doesn't take long to get started — one church launched their mental health ministry in just 2 months using this model.

Helpful resources

Ready-made programs & tools

If your church wants a turnkey solution, these resources can get you started quickly.

Mental Health Sermons by Asian Americans
How pastors and churches can address mental health from the pulpit
Christian Mental Health Support Groups & Workbooks
Facilitating support groups that provide care, belonging, and community
The Church Cares
Peer helping ministry that trains church members to listen, pray, and support
CAMH Coaching

You don't have to figure this out alone

CAMH offers personalized, concierge-style coaching for church leaders. We'll work with you to customize a ministry plan that fits your congregation's size, culture, and context — and walk with you through every step of launching it.

Personalized ministry plan for your church
Help selecting the right resources
Strategy tailored to your community
Relational partnership, not a program

Let's start a conversation

Ready to explore what a mental health ministry could look like at your church? Reach out — we'd love to hear about your church and find a good next step together.

[email protected] 949-243-7260
DJ Chuang
DJ Chuang
Director, Christian Asian Mental Health