Taraji P. Henson tears when he remembers telling his 9-year-old son that his father had been murdered: “I didn’t have the words.”
He is the star of the hit film Hidden Figures and the TV series Empire.
But Taraji P. Henson is also known as a strong advocate for greater access to mental health services.
On Tuesday, in a video clip promoting Wednesday’s episode of her Facebook Watch’s Peace Of Mind show, the 50-year-old actress tore herself apart as she recalled how she had to deal with the murder of her son’s father ago. 11 years.
Emotional Time: Taraji P. Henson recalled in a preview clip of his Facebook program Watch Peace Of Mind how he had to try to tell his nine-year-old son that his father had been murdered.
“My son’s father was suddenly murdered when he was nine and didn’t know how to tell him that,” he shared with co-presenter Tracie Jade Jenkins and therapist Sierra Hillsman.
“I couldn’t tell him he was murdered, so I told him he died in an accident,” he explained.
“He was stabbed to death, it was the worst way to die … I just didn’t have the words. I didn’t know how to tell a nine-year-old.”
Mass: Henson, 50, started when he explained that he simply “didn’t have the words.” She said, “I couldn’t tell you he was killed, so I told him he died in an accident.”
Her boyfriend: The 50-year-old actress raised her son Marcell, now 26, as a single mother. She has been pictured with her at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in January 2019
Henson continued to raise his son Marcell, now 26, as a single mother and said that when he was older, he discovered the truth about his father’s death and asked him why he hadn’t told him.
As a result, the actress said they both resorted to therapy together.
He spoke openly in the past about therapy and, in June 2019, explained: “It’s hard when you’re in a dark place. Thank God, I had really amazing people around me … since I’ve seen a therapist, he helps me tremendously. ”
Militant: Advocate for greater access to mental health services, Henson addressed Congress in June 2019 on the need for more mental health resources for African Americans.
The same month, Henson addressed Congress on the need for more mental health resources for African Americans.
He said at the time that he believes defending the community has become his “purpose” in life.
He also founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after his late father, who works with schools to provide therapy to at-risk students and tackle child suicide.
In Facebook Watch’s Peace of Mind, Henson and his lifelong friend Jenkins discuss mental health issues, especially those that arise in the African American community. and each episode focuses on a different theme.
The Star of the Empire and Hidden Figures also founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after his late father, who works with schools to provide therapy to at-risk students.