Monica Kim and Danny Kwon’s Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders is a must read for parents and youth workers. It’s a unique combination of authors; Monica Kim is a psychologist and biblical counselor with over twenty years in her profession, Danny Kwon was a full time youth pastor in one church for 29 years before accepting a call to serve at Rooted. And they’re husband and wife. Together, their shared expertise and unique perspectives have created a really strong resource.
I love the practicality of their writing; it is direct, easy to read, full of powerful insights on this growing need in young people today. Between the two of them they cover all the angles; pastoral, counselor, parent. It is both biblical and based in psychology. The book is divided into two parts; part one talks about the need, the reality of mental health challenges young people face, and the potential for parents and ministry leaders to make a real difference.
Part two gets incredibly practical. With chapters on anxiety and stress, depression, body image and eating disorders, substance use issues, trauma, suicidal ideation, personality disorders, and excessive screen use issues, it is incredibly helpful. While both academics and both have taught at the college level, their writing is so approachable and easy to navigate. They give real world examples to help walk the reader through the challenges and the possibilities of each need.
I read the book because Danny is a youth ministry friend and legend and I wanted to support his latest book. I expected it to be good. I was caught off guard by just how good it is; I genuinely think this is a must read for parents (especially if your children are on the verge of hitting adolescence) and youth workers everywhere. It’s so helpful, so clear, so relevant. Definitely at the top of my list for book recommendations.
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