Taraji P. Henson creates mental health foundation

Taraji P. Henson has hopes to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the African-American community. She has recently created a mental health institution in memory of her late father, who suffered from mental health issues. On September 22, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her father, will officially launch.

“My dad fought in the Vietnam War for our country, returned broken, and received little to no physical and emotional support. I stand now in his absence, committed to offering support to African Americans who face trauma daily, simply because they are black,” said Henson in an interview with CNN news in early April.

According to People Magazine, in addition to Henson’s other foundations that are  providing scholarships to African-American students majoring in mental health and this one will also offer mental health services to youth in urban schools and work to lower the recidivism rates of African-American men and women.

“I think that it is really great that she cares about the community and wants to reach out and help it,” said Aaliyah Harris, 10.

Saying that she wants to “ensure that we have enough soldiers to fight the battle,” the Henson Foundation, among other things, raises money and advocates for greater numbers of “culturally competent.”