Taraji P. Henson Says Acting Led Her to a ‘Larger Life Purpose’ of Mental Health Activism

Mar. 15, 2025

Taraji P Henson during a photo call for the cast of The Color Purple at IET London.Photo:Ian West/PA Images via Getty

Ian West/PA Images via Getty

Taraji P. Hensonis opening up about being a mental health activist.

In an interview withELLEfor their 2023 Women in Hollywood December/January 2023 issue, Henson, who stars in the upcomingThe Color Purplemovie,said that being an actress led her to discover her passion for mental health.

“Acting put me on a platform, and I always thought that I was touching lives through acting, but this foundation is actually saving lives,”Henson, 53, toldELLE. “I’m grateful that acting led me to a larger life purpose.”

The actress explained to the outlet that when looking for a therapist to help her process her father’s death she couldn’t find anyone who looked like her. “I couldn’t find them—it was like looking for a unicorn,” she said. This led her to found theBoris Lawrence Henson Foundation, which works to destigmatize mental health in the Black community.

Through the foundation – named after her father – she offers free therapy, a scholarship fund for Black therapists and “wellness pods” at places like historically Black colleges and universities.

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Taraji P. Henson’s ELLE 2023 Women in Hollywood cover.Adrienne Raquel

Adrienne Raquel

In April, Henson shared an update on her mental health journey in anappearance onSherri. She explained on the show that she took a trip to Bali out of necessity.

“I’ve been doing this for 20-some odd years. Working, grinding, whatever you want to call it. And I come up for air, and I hit a brick wall,” she expressed.

Taraji P. Henson in ELLE’s Women in Hollywood 2023 issue.Adrienne Raquel

The actress previously toldPEOPLEin June 2019 that she talks to her therapist twice a week. In person, if she’s in town, and if not, she chooses to Skype or Facetime.

“I can call her at any time I’m having a moment and she’s there,” Henson said. “I was blessed enough to find someone I really gel with. She gets me.”

She continued: “We don’t talk about mental health, we don’t deal with it. For generations, we’ve been told it’s a weakness, to pray our problems away – and that’s just not gonna cut it.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com