Taraji P. Henson Opens Up About Breaking the Silence on Mental Health Struggles
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Taraji P. Henson, the acclaimed 52-year-old actress nominated for an Oscar, shared insights into her decision to speak out about her own mental health challenges. Featured on Verywell Mind, she revealed her motivation to leverage her personal journey to support others navigating similar struggles.
Henson stands as one of the distinguished honorees of the "Verywell Mind 25," an initiative recognizing leading figures, experts, and advocates who are positively shaping the landscape of mental health today.
Recognizing the historical dismissal of mental health issues within the Black community, the renowned star of The Color Purple disclosed her commitment to breaking this pattern. She emphasized instilling in her son Marcell the importance of defying societal norms by embracing vulnerability, sharing his struggles, and seeking assistance when needed.
"We've both experienced trauma, and it's crucial to have access to therapy, a strong support network, and readily available resources," Henson conveyed to the publication.
Emphasizing the empowerment found in vulnerability, she underscored, "We must dismantle the cycle of suffering to live fulfilling, healthy lives devoid of the shackles of our past traumas." Henson passionately advocated for the accessibility of free services, whether therapeutic interventions, yoga, or African dance, to kickstart the journey towards healing.
"Joy is our inherent right, and every individual deserves to reclaim it," she asserted.
Taraji P. Henson, a Golden Globe winner, has bravely shared her own struggles with depression and anxiety in the past.
In 2018, she established the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in memory of her father, a Vietnam War veteran who battled mental illness until his passing in 2005. Through this foundation, Henson has been instrumental in providing mental health resources and combating the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the Black community.
"I chose to speak out to empower others to share their stories and seek the help they deserve," she revealed. "It was a challenging decision, especially in the public eye, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Hearing from people who have benefited from the free therapy and resources offered by my foundation through social media DMs fills my heart with joy."
Despite acknowledging that there is still much work to be done, particularly in light of funding cuts to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Henson expressed pride in the progress achieved thus far. "The strides we've made in such a short time inspire me to continue advocating for our community," she declared.
The Quran - Chatper Al-Hujurat : 16 - 18
Say, “Do you inform Allah of your faith, when Allah ˹already˺ knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.”
They regard their acceptance of Islam as a favour to you. Tell ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Do not regard your Islam as a favour to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favour by guiding you to the faith, if ˹indeed˺ you are faithful.
Surely Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and earth. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”
If anyone embraces Islam or some Islamic task is accomplished through him, he should realize that this has come about with the help of God.
Faith and good deeds all depend on God’s directive guidance. So, whenever somebody is in a position to do something good, he should thank God for it.
If, instead of so doing, the individual attempts to make his co-religionists feel obliged to him for what he has done, this would amount to his having acted not out of concern for God, but in order to figure well in the eyes of his fellow-men.
God is directly aware of everything. One who performs any task for the sake of God, should firmly believe that God sees his work, and that there is no need to show it to Him.
