Pastor Opens Harlem's First Faith-Based Mental Health Clinic

Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr. grew up in a West Indian Caribbean home where mental health was never talked about. For over 30 years, he avoided dealing with his own mental health needs. Then something changed his life forever.

One day, Pastor Walrond had thoughts about taking his own life. His first thought was to keep these feelings secret, like he had learned growing up. Instead, he made a brave choice to call a therapist. He says this decision saved his life.

Pastor Walrond realized that in our African American community, we often treat trauma as normal. We don't always see how it affects our mental health. He knew his community needed a safe place to get help that honored both faith and mental wellness.

Over 20 years, Pastor Walrond built the H.O.P.E. Center at First Corinthian Baptist Church. This became Harlem's first faith-based mental health clinic. The center now has seven mental health workers: three doctors, one psychiatrist, three social workers, and one psychologist.

Lena Green runs the center and has watched Pastor Walrond make the church a safe space for people to open up. During church services, he talks about wellness, mindfulness, and caring for each other. Pastor Walrond believes we must "treat the needs of the people as holy." Our community now has a place where faith and mental health care work together to help people heal.