South California megachurch pastor and mental health advocate, Jarrid Wilson, killed himself on September 9th at age 30. Wilson had a history of depression.

Wilson was known for co-founding Anthem of Hope, a non-profit organization for helping people with depression and advocating for mental health. He was also an associate pastor at the Harvest Christian Fellowship church. 

The Christian community was shocked and mourned for Jarrid Wilson with the news of his death. He is survived by his wife, Julianne, and his two sons.

Julianne Wilson posted a tribute to her husband on her Instagram, stating that he had “went to be with Jesus”.

 

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My loving, giving, kind-hearted, encouraging, handsome, hilarious, give the shirt of his back husband went to be with Jesus late last night . 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 . I love you forever, Thomas jarrid Wilson, but I have to say that you being gone has completely ripped my heart out of my chest. You loved me and our boys relentlessly and I am forever grateful that i had YOU as a husband and a father to our boys . You are my forever and I will continue to let other people know of the hope in Jesus you found and spoke so boldly about . Suicide doesn’t get the last word. I won’t let it. You always said “Hope Gets the last word. Jesus gets the last word”. Your life’s work has lead thousands to the feet of Jesus and your boldness to tell other about your struggle with anxiety and depression has helped so many other people feel like they weren’t alone. YOU WERE an ANTHEM OF HOPE to everyone, baby, and I’ll do my best to continue your legacy of love until my last breath . I need you, jare, but you needed Jesus to hold you and I have to be okay with that. You are everything to me. Since the day we met. J & J. Love you more . These are photos of him in his happy place – fishing the day away . I’ll teach our boys all your tricks, babe. Promise. You are my #anthemofhope

A post shared by Julianne Wilson ? (@itsjuliwilson) on Sep 10, 2019 at 2:02pm PDT

“Suicide doesn’t get the last word. I won’t let it. You always said ‘Hope gets the last word. Jesus gets the last word’”, she wrote, “YOU WERE an ANTHEM OF HOPE to everyone.”

Jarrid Wilson took his own life the day before Suicide Prevention Day. Hours before his death, he tweeted a message about suicide:

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure suicidal thoughts.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure depression.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure PTSD.

Loving Jesus doesn’t always cure anxiety.

But that doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t offer us companionship and comfort.

He ALWAYS does that.

— Jarrid Wilson (@JarridWilson) September 9, 2019

Pastors, worship leaders, and fellow believers have been mourning Wilson’s death and have posted several tributes in his honor.

On the day that he died, Wilson officiated a funeral for a woman who had taken her own life. Wilson wrote, “Officiating a funeral for a Jesus-loving woman who took her own life today.”

Wilson’s death is a reminder that depression is something that is required to be spoken up about. It is a reminder that suicide can strike even to those most aware of its effects on their loved ones and even to those who advocate for suicide awareness, like Wilson.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)  or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.