Teenagers and Mental Health

Monica Kim, MAR, MEd, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and Christian counselor with over twenty years of experience. She is also currently an adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University and facilitates a biblical counseling consultation group for the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). She is married to Danny Kwon, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia.Danny Kwon, MDiv, ThM, PhD, is the Senior Director of Youth Ministry Content and Cross Cultural Initiatives for Rooted Ministry. Before Rooted, he served as the Youth and Family Pastor at Yuong Sang Church for almost thirty years. He has authored three books and is an adjunct professor at Eastern University. He is married to Monica Kim, and they have three children and live outside Philadelphia.

“I am grateful to Danny and Monica for pouring their wisdom, expertise, and experience into this theologically rich and biblically sound resource to help us help kids navigate the many mental health issues they are facing in our broken and challenging world. I can think of no better resource on this topic to prepare us to serve with truth and grace as instruments of hope and healing in our Redeemer’s hands.”Walt Mueller, President, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding“This timely book by Monica Kim and Danny Kwon is a gift to both parents and ministry leaders. It doesn’t shy away from the tough realities of mental health struggles facing the young people we care about, yet it overflows with practical hope about the transformative power of caring, present adults. Honest, insightful, and deeply needed—this is a resource you’ll use repeatedly.”Kara Powell, Chief of Leadership Formation, Fuller Seminary; executive director, Fuller Youth Institute; coauthor of Future-Focused Church“It’s hard to overstate the timeliness and importance of Danny and Monica’s latest work on teens and mental health. Teenagers are a demographic who get talked about a lot but whose care is often overlooked. Danny and Monica have given the church a tremendous gift in this comprehensive but concise handbook to care well and compassionately for the next generation. Anyone who has or loves teens will need to add this to their reading list.”Jonathan D. Holmes, Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling“Danny and Monica have produced a remarkable resource for parents, pastors, leaders, and volunteers who care about teenagers. It will help them to encourage, pastor, and understand teenagers in their mental health struggles. This book will certainly be on my shelf and should be for everyone who cares about teenagers.”Cameron Cole, Founding Chairman, Rooted Ministry“Monica Kim and Danny Kwon have given us a long overdue resource for youth leaders, parents, and pastors who often find themselves as first responders when teenagers are struggling. I'm grateful for the thoughtful and practical counsel offered in these pages. This book does not shy away from hard questions and tough issues. For anybody who loves teenagers or who wants to better equip people who love teenagers, I heartily recommend this resource!”Duffy Robbins, Professor of Christian Ministry, Grove City College, Grove City, PA“I heartily commend Danny and Monica’s core thesis that the church has a privileged opportunity to play a consequential role in the lives of a particularly susceptible age group. Grounded in a rich understanding of the good news, this work offers concrete application and true hope for the complex and sometimes tumultuous inner lives of teenagers.”Todd Stryd, MDiv, PsyD, CCEF Faculty; author of Schizophrenia: A Compassionate Approach“As well-versed in psychology as it is rooted in the gospel, this book is a must for anyone who works or lives with teenagers! While informative and practically useful for navigating mental health issues, what I most appreciate is the authors’ compassionate stance toward both the one struggling and the ones struggling alongside them.”Kristen Hatton, MA, LPC, Author of Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years“I needed this book twenty years ago when I started in youth ministry. I’m convinced that Danny and Monica have written the new go-to book for youth workers who want to navigate mental health with sensitivity and biblical faithfulness. You have teenagers in your ministry (or family) who need you to read this book. Don’t wait until there’s a crisis to open it—read it today.”Mike McGarry, Director of Youth Pastor Theologian; author of Iconic, Discover, and Lead Them to Jesus“Danny and Monica’s decades of faithful, hands-on ministry to teenagers shine through beautifully in this book. Their pastoral and practical wisdom, shaped by deep love for teenagers and their families and grounded in the timeless wisdom of the Word of God will guide, encourage, and help many. I wholeheartedly commend their experience and insight to anyone who ministers to and cares for teenagers—parents, youth workers, and pastors.”Owen Lee, Senior Pastor, Christ Central Presbyterian Church, Centreville, VA; director, Korean American Leadership Initiative; council member and trustee, SOLA Network“With a passion for the next generation, Monica Kim and Danny Kwon examine mental health issues from a discipleship perspective, connecting biblically sound principles with practical advice. As experienced ministry professionals, they provide guidance that weaves together the valuable roles played by parents, ministry leaders, the church community, and medical professionals. This is a great resource!” Stephen T. Estock, Coordinator, Committee on Discipleship Ministries (CDM), Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)“As I read through the book, what stood out to me was how Danny and Monica wrote from the perspectives of a pastor, a professional therapist, and parents at different points. There are moments when each voice is exactly what’s needed. I’m grateful they poured their experience and wisdom into a resource for both church workers and parents.”Steve S. Chang, President, SOLA Network