Taraji P. Henson, a well-known actress and advocate for mental health, has once again partnered with BET Media Group for the 2024 Can We Talk? Symposium on behalf of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF). This event, taking place in Washington D.C. on May 30 and 31, aims to address the negative stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community through various activities such as mixers, panels, breakout sessions, and celebrations. The two-day initiative seeks to provide accessible resources and support to break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community.
Launched last spring, the One Million Hours Joy Challenge, a collaboration between BET and BLHF, aims to provide 1 million hours of free mental health services to the Black community. To date, over 150,000 hours of free mental health services have been delivered, highlighting the lack of accessible mental health services in the community. The initiative deliberately offers free services to a wide range of Black communities, including HBCU campuses, the entertainment industry, and the sports field, addressing the communal ailment of inaccessible mental health services.
The Can We Talk? Symposium offers attendees, particularly mental health professionals and advocates, the opportunity to learn, evolve, and network while exploring the concepts of safety, belonging, and dignity. The event’s theme, “Radical Attunement,” focuses on deep listening, empathetic understanding, and authentic connection. Taraji P. Henson, as the Founder and President of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, aims to provide attendees with tools and insights to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and compassion, ultimately creating a world where every individual feels valued and respected.
In 2018, Taraji P. Henson and her best friend Tracie Jade Jenkins established the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father who experienced untreated mental health conditions following his return from the Vietnam War. Since its founding, the organization has been involved in various initiatives, including partnering with Kate Spade to fund therapy hubs on HBCU campuses, offering free and virtual therapy sessions to female students facing challenges in accessing mental health services. Henson, a vocal advocate for mental health in the Black community, spoke before Congress in 2019 about her personal struggles with depression and PTSD, highlighting the stigma around mental health issues in the African American community and the barriers to accessing mental health care.
A 2013 study revealed that 63% of Black individuals consider a mental health condition to be indicative of personal weakness, contributing to the stigma surrounding mental health in the community. These stigmas pose significant barriers to accessing mental health care and support services, ultimately impacting the mental health outcomes of Black individuals. According to Columbia Psychiatry, Black adults have a 20% increased risk of developing major mental health conditions, with younger Black adults facing more intense mental health struggles and seeking treatment at lower rates compared to their White peers and older Black adults. Henson’s personal story and activism have propelled the mission of the BET and BLHF partnership, fostering necessary conversations and practical solutions in mental health advocacy within the Black community.
The Can We Talk? Symposium emerges as a transformative space, offering hope and progress in mental health advocacy within the Black community. Through partnerships, initiatives, and events like this, Taraji P. Henson and the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation aim to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community, providing accessible resources and support to individuals who need it most. Their commitment to creating a culture of mental wellness and empowerment shines through in their efforts to address mental health challenges and provide necessary tools for navigating life’s obstacles with resilience and compassion.
