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This song was written for the 2021 Enlighten Mental Health Seminar.  Tiffany Mui wrote about the raw emotions and feelings that she experienced during the her darkest moments of wanting to end her life in 2016, but how she is breaking free from the chains and moving forward towards healing and growth in her life. God is enough to help you break through whatever you are going through in your life.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND PLENARY SESSIONS
DR. KEVIN VAN LANT

Kevin Van Lant is a licensed clinical psychologist who received his Ph.D. from Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University. He teaches courses in pastoral care and counseling, marriage counseling, psychopathology and health psychology at Talbot Theological Seminary, Biola University. Dr. Van Lant has a private psychotherapy practice in Los Alamitos, CA. In his clinical role, he works primarily with depression, anxiety and stress disorders as well as couples and those suffering from long-term emotional and spiritual distress. He is on the board of the largest Christian counseling center on the West Coast (Center for Individual and Family Therapy).

Additionally, Dr. Van Lant frequently consults with pastors and churches on issues of congregant and staff mental health. Dr. Van Lant speaks on a broad range of topics including men’s issues, parenting, mental health and the church, marriage and general relationships issues. He is married and the father of three sons. In his spare time he likes to sail, fly-fish, read, listen to music and anything related to hanging out with his wife and boys.

FRONTLINES: Equipping Christian Leaders to Respond to Mental Health Issues

Dr. Kevin VanLant recently published a couple of books along with colleagues. FRONTLINES is an in-person training that will equip ministry leaders, lay leaders and educators to assess and triage common adult, adolescent and young adult mental health issues. Christian leaders and educators are often on the interpersonal frontlines of our current mental health crisis, and so are in need of more information on the care and triaging of those suffering from mental illness. This is particularly important because many of those in your care will typically consult with pastors, teachers and lay leaders before seeking care from a mental health professional.

Plenary Address #1
Recognizing what psychological and spiritual crisis can teach us about mental and spiritual health

Loss, pain, and struggle are often necessary for significant spiritual and psychological growth. The acknowledgement of this truth, as unpleasant as it may sound, can often be the great differentiator between stagnation or growth, bitterness or hope, and despair or resiliency.  It’s often in these moments of crisis that we begin to re-evaluate our priorities, our relationships, and our experience of God.  In this discussion, we will examine the nature of psychological and spiritual crisis as well as what scripture and psychology can teach us about pursuing health and growth during these difficult times in life.

Plenary Address #2
Realistic hope and optimism through the church and for the hurting

Pain and loss are not just a mere possibility in this life – pain and loss are inevitable.  And although we are told in scripture that God is “close to the broken hearted” and that he “saves those who are crushed in spirit,” if we are honest, we may have moments in which we wonder just how much more our broken hearts can bear.  In this discussion we will consider what scripture and research have to tell us about the nature of realistic hope, God’s desire to redeem all things, and the crucial role of the church and Christian community.

WORKSHOP SPEAKER
KATY YIU

Katy Yiu is a student at Fuller School of Psychology in the graduate program in Marriage & Family Therapy. Katy was born and raised in Hong Kong and came to the U.S. for her undergraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Development. Through this time, she has gained vast experiences working with people from different cultural backgrounds. Katy is currently interning as a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee to further develop her experiences and training. She hopes to utilize her knowledge and skills to support people in various ways mentally and spiritually.

In different cultures, we are taught to handle our feelings in various way, especially the negative feelings. Some cultures tend to foster the importance of ignoring one’s own feelings and continue to show a “good face,” which can cause many people to try to hide or neglect their feelings. The most frequent words we hear when we try to share our feelings and struggles are, “Don’t cry,” “It will be fine,” or “Keep going.”  Individuals might experience shame or guilt when sharing their difficulties with others because we are taught to present a strong, independent, and wonderful side of one’s life rather than admit vulnerability. This struggle for learning to keep up with the demands of today’s world, coupled with the pressure and expectations, has caused a neglect for care and attention to mental health.

The views expressed in the presentations made at the Enlighten Mental Health Semninar are those of the speaker and not, necessarily, of the Enlighten Mental Health Ministry or Chinese Christian Church of Thousand Oaks. All the materials listed are copyrighted. Please do not modify, copy or duplicate without permission.