Taraji P. Henson Continues Mental Health Advocacy with BET Partnership
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Taraji P. Henson, the renowned actress and mental health advocate, has once again joined forces with BET Media Group for the 2024 Can We Talk? Symposium. This event, organized by the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF), aims to address the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community through various activities and discussions.
The two-day symposium, scheduled for May 30 and 31 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington D.C., will feature mixers, panels, breakout sessions, and celebrations focused on promoting mental wellness and empowerment among Black individuals. Tiyale Hayes, Executive Vice President of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics at BET Media Group, expressed the organization’s commitment to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community.
The Can We Talk? Symposium is part of the One Million Hours Joy Challenge, a collaborative effort between BET and BLHF to provide free mental health services to the Black community. With over 150,000 hours of services already delivered, the initiative aims to address the lack of accessible mental health resources in various Black communities, including HBCU campuses, the entertainment industry, and the sports field.
Taraji P. Henson, as the Founder and President of the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, emphasized the importance of creating a world where every individual feels valued and respected. Through the symposium’s theme of “Radical Attunement,” attendees, including mental health professionals and advocates, will explore concepts of safety, belonging, and dignity to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and compassion.
Henson’s personal connection to mental health advocacy, stemming from her father’s struggles with PTSD and bipolar disorder, has fueled her commitment to destigmatizing mental health in the Black community. Her efforts, alongside BET and BLHF, are paving the way for necessary conversations and practical solutions to address mental health disparities among Black individuals. The Can We Talk? Symposium stands as a beacon of hope and progress in mental health advocacy, championed by Henson’s unwavering dedication and advocacy.
