Team
Dr Hera Lukman (PhD, CPsychol-Health Psychology)
Ms Siew Ju Li MEd (Ed. Psych)
Rev Alexa Ho (MCS)
Course Duration
Bi-monthly sessions from March to October 2026
Timing
Wednesdays @ 10AM – 1 PM
Venue
PJEFC
Fee
Early Bird (by 20th Jan 2026): RM250*
Normal (by 15th Feb 2026): RM300*
*Helps to cover materials, guest speaker honorariums, and program resources. We believe this is a fair and reasonable rate for the depth and length of the course. We want this mental health course to be accessible to everyone. At the same time, we don’t want finances to keep anyone from joining. If the fee is a challenge, please contact Rev Alexa Ho confidentially—we’re here to help. WhatsApp Rev Alexa Ho
Dr Hera Lukman is a registered Chartered Health Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. For over 20 years, Hera has taught undergraduate and postgraduate Psychology at several Universities in the UK and Malaysia. She is currently working with various communities, particularly those within Christian-based institutions, to improve mental health literacy. Hera’s short-term goal is to develop informed communities of faith leaders, peers and family members who understand their role in promoting mental health and who proactively provide effective mental health care to those struggling with mental health problems. In time, she hopes that such effort can help reduce the effects of stigma and misconceptions associated with mental distress and/or mental disorders. Her ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for individuals living with mental health challenges.
In full-time Christian ministry since 2004, Rev. Alexa Ho holds a Master of Christian Studies from Malaysia Bible Seminary (MBS). She currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Petaling Jaya Evangelical Free Church (PJEFC). Alexa is deeply convinced that the Church is called to be a living conduit of God’s unconditional love—a community intentionally shaped to offer safety, belonging, and meaningful dialogue. She is passionate about cultivating spaces where people can wrestle honestly with faith, culture, and discipleship, learning together what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world. She is married to Gary, and together they delight in watching their son, Micah, grow, flourish, and embrace life with joy.
Description
What have pastors got to do with mental health? In the current climate of increasing public awareness of mental health challenges, what would be an apt and theologically sound response to the aforementioned question? What is the role of pastors in providing mental health care within their church community? How can pastors work together with their community to navigate various mental health challenges they encounter within their church? How would pastors manage their own mental health?
This course aims to facilitate the much needed dialogues on these questions among pastors/pastors-in-training and ministers. The posture of this course endorses an approach that integrates Psychology and Theology as two separate but interrelated disciplines. The content of this course will include some basic psychology of adaptive and maladaptive behaviours that are particularly relevant to mental health care within communities. At the end of the course, participants will be more equipped to articulate their understanding of mental health and how this understanding can begin to shape their pastoral work with persons and communities affected by mental health challenges.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants should be able to:
Outline and Schedule
| Session | Date | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 Mar | Why is Church Essential for Mental Health Care? |
| 2 | 18 Mar | How Do We Talk About Mental Health? |
| 3 | 1 Apr | What Does the Journey of Navigating Mental Health Challenges Look Like? |
| 4 | 15 Apr | Human Development 1: Children and Mental Health |
| 5 | 6 May | Human Development 2: Adolescents and Mental Health |
| 6 | 20 May | Human Development 3: Young Adults and Mental Health |
| 7 | 3 Jun | Human Development 4: Older Adults and Mental Health |
| 8 | 24 Jun | Common Mental Health Challenges 1: Mood Disorders |
| 9 | 1 Jul | Common Mental Health Challenges 2: Anxiety Disorders |
| 10 | 22 Jul | Common Mental Health Challenges 3: Addiction |
| 11 | 5 Aug | Common Mental Health Challenges 4: Psychosis |
| 12 | 19 Aug | Common Mental Health Challenges 5: Suicidality |
| 13 | 2 Sep | What Has Sexuality Got to Do with Mental Health? |
| 14 | 23 Sep | Community Empowerment & Mobilization |
| 15 | 21 Oct | The Psychology of Helping & Receiving Help |
| 16 | 28 Oct | Burnout and Self Care |
Subject to changes
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
Dykstra, Robert C. (2005) Images of Pastoral Care. Chalice Press.
Johnson, Eric L. (2010) Psychology and Christianity: Five Views (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.
McRay, B. W., Yarhouse, M. A., & Butman, R. E. (2016). Modern psychopathologies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.
Swinton, John. (2020). Finding Jesus in the storm: the spiritual lives of Christians with mental health challenges, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: USA.
Specific Session’s readings to be assigned