Taraji P. Henson hosting new show about mental health for Facebook Watch

Taraji P. Henson is the latest celebrity joining the talk show ranks of Facebook Watch. The former Empire actor and star of the upcoming Cookie-centric Empire spinoff has inked a deal to helm her own series, which goes into production later this year.According to a press release from the platform, Henson will host Peace of Mind with Taraji (working title) alongside her longtime bestie Tracie Jade Jenkins. In each episode the pair will discuss mental health issues—particularly those affecting the Black community—with the help of celebrity guest stars, experts, and everyday people. Each of the episodes will focus on a different mental health topic.

 

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A post shared by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Oct 5, 2020 at 4:39pm PDT

Given Henson’s work in the mental health field, the show seems pretty on-brand for her. In 2018, the 50-year-old launched The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, an initiative aimed at ending the stigmas surrounding mental health/illness and offering supports, specifically within the Black community—the demographic least likely to seek mental health help. The foundation was created in honour of Henson’s late father, Boris Lawrence Henson, who lived with mental health challenges following his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Tracie Jade Jenkins serves as the foundation’s executive director.“I’ve long been a mental health advocate for the Black community and created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 that has provided resources to thousands of people who are struggling,” Henson said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to bringing this new talk series to Facebook Watch, where I can continue to create conversation around an issue that is near and dear to my heart.”

 

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????? Repost from @blhensonfoundation • We’re offering five free virtual therapy sessions for Black men, because everyone deserves a place to talk about what they’re going through. Sign up today through the link in our bio. @tarajiphenson #borislawrencehensonfoundation #MentalHealth #Therapy #silenceisnttreatment @cthagod @wale @kingjaybarnett

A post shared by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Sep 30, 2020 at 10:45am PDT

Late last year Henson opened up to SELF about her own experiences with anxiety and depression, revealing that she has used therapy, meditation, and prayer to help manage it over time. “I hope that one day we can all be free to talk about mental health and be okay with seeking help,” she said at the time.Peace of Mind is the latest talk show to hit Facebook Watch as the platform continues building out its schedule with shows like Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, Steve Harvey’s Steve on Watch, and Gloria Estefan’s Red Table Talk: The Estefans. Although the streamer didn’t reveal a premiere date, Henson’s show is in line with Facebook’s current efforts to offer supports on World Mental Health Day on October 10. In addition to launching this series, it’s also unveiling Emotional Health, a resource on the Facebook app that gives tips and information from experts, according to Variety.[video_embed id='2001529'']RELATED: Taraji P. Henson getting ‘Empire’ spin-off series [/video_embed]“The work Taraji has done in the mental health space is inspiring, and we’re thrilled to have her come to our platform to educate and entertain around this incredibly important topic,” added Facebook Watch’s programming boss Mina Lefevre in a release. “One of our strengths at Facebook Watch is building community and conversation around topics people care about, and we’re looking forward to taking this journey together.”[video_embed id='2027570']BEFORE YOU GO: This singing parrot sounds just like Beyoncé [/video_embed]