for NPR: This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles by José A. Alvarado Jr.

News

for NPR: This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles

josé a. alvarado jr.

Apr 2, 2025

It was his own mental health crisis that helped Michael A. Walrond, Jr. to understand and embrace mental health care. "Out of nowhere, I had a suicidal ideation," Walrond recalls. He was in his late 30s at the time, already busy building a life and expanding his congregation at First Corinthian Baptist in Harlem, New York.

His Masters of Divinity degree hadn't involved much training in clinical mental health care, and the subject was not a part of his family life growing up in New York City. "I grew up in a traditional West Indian Caribbean household," he says. "It definitely wasn't talked about."

Suicidal ideation — thoughts of dying by suicide — can be a sign of serious mental illness, and Walrond had not realized at the time that he was dealing with depression and anxiety. Research shows clergy suffer from high rates of burnout and often struggle with thoughts of suicide and self-harm. After his own suicidal ideation, Walrond immediately pursued mental health care.

Photographed for NPR, with words by Katia Riddle

This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles
First Corinthian Baptist Church founded a separate nonprofit that employs therapists to bring mental health care to a community where stigma remains a high barrier to healing.
Npr.org

843

José A. Alvarado Jr.

Also by José A. Alvarado Jr. —

for Chalkbeat:At a Bronx school for immigrants, an undocumented teen fights for an education under Trump

for Chalkbeat: As Trump’s deportation campaign grows, a Bronx school and undocumented teen face tough choices

for Chalkbeat: Their student was detained by ICE. Now this Bronx school is rallying to get him back.

for The New York Times: 13 Law Enforcement Unions Endorse Eric Adams in N.Y.C. Mayor’s Race

for The New York Times: They Cleaned Subways During Covid. Now They’ll Get Millions in Back Pay.

for The New York Times: How a Plan for Reparations Became a Debt Trap for Marijuana Retailers

for The New York Times: New York Prisons Accused of Defying Judge on Solitary Confinement

for The New York Times: Where You Can Stumble Upon a U.S. Open Match

for NPR: Inside the lab working to identify the remains of 9/11 victims

for NPR: 'It's such a dream': Top high school performers step out on Broadway

for NPR: Los Tigres del Norte share the pride of selling out Madison Square Garden with its fans

for The Minnesota Star Tribune: A Columbia professor’s warning for the University of Minnesota

for The New York Times: Columbia Concedes to Trump

for The New York Times: ICE Can’t Enter Rikers for Now, Judge Rules

for The New York Times: Outside Official Will Take Over Deadly Rikers Island Jail, Judge Orders

for The New York Times: Officer Pleads Guilty in Fatal Beating of Prisoner Seen on Camera

for Bloomberg: New York’s Selective Return to Office Is a Problem

for Bloomberg: Caribbean Worried About Impact of Fines on China-Made Vessels

for Bloomberg Law: Blue Owl’s Legal Chief Surges to Top-Paid Among Asset Managers

for Bloomberg: NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds

for Bloomberg: KKR Veteran Joins Blue Owl to Lead Global Family Office Push

for Bloomberg: JPMorgan’s Former ‘Punch Card’ Building Unveils $10,000 Rentals

for NPR: This Black church is facing the teen mental health crisis head on

for The New York Times: A Black Studies Curriculum Is (Defiantly) Rolling Out in New York City