Pastor And Mental Health Advocate Jarrid Wilson Dies by Suicide

Jarrid Wilson, a pastor that worked at the 15,000 member Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in California, has died in an apparent suicide. 

According to the Guardian, Wilson, 30, was also a mental health advocate who frequently spoke out about mental health and his own struggles with depression.

Jarrid Wilson joined the Harvest Christian Fellowship church in Riverside, Calif. 18 months ago as an associate pastor, according to a statement from the church.

“He was vibrant, positive, and was always serving and helping others,” the statement said. “He wanted to help those who were dealing with suicidal thoughts, especially.”

“Sometimes people may think that as pastors or spiritual leaders we are somehow above the pain and struggles of everyday people,” Greg Laurie, the church’s senior pastor wrote in a blog post mourning Wilson’s death on Tuesday. “We are the ones who are supposed to have all the answers. But we do not.”

Jarrid is survived by his wife Julianne Harris and their two sons, Denham and Finch. Harris shared an emotionally heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing that her husband was a “loving, giving, kind-hearted, encouraging, handsome, hilarious, give the shirt [off] his back husband.”

“No more pain, my Jerry, no more struggle. You are made complete, and you are finally free. Suicide and depression fed you the worst lies, but you knew the truth of Jesus, and I know you’re by his side right this very second,” her post read.

In 2016, The couple founded an outreach program called “Anthem of Hope,” which set out to help people dealing with suicidal thoughts and depression. The outreach group sought to end the stigma of mental illness and connect people to resources, including a 24-hour crisis line.

Wilson was notably candid about his personal struggles with depression as he shared on his Instagram page in August, writing “Admitting you struggle with mental health doesn’t make you a bad Christian.” He also wrote, “I’m a Christian who also struggles with depression. This exists, and it’s ok to admit it.”