To promote "radical attunement" in the Black community, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, a non-profit established by Oscar-nominee actress Taraji P. Henson, put on a mental health symposium Friday (May 31) at the Gaylord National Harbor in Prince George's County, M.D.
The non-profit defines radical attunement "as deep listening, empathetic understanding and authentic connection." Henson, a D.C. native, returned to the area to encourage Black people to support one another and prioritize their mental well-being so they could succeed in society.
"We just have to keep showing up for each other in ways like this. Everything is not about money; everything is not just about finances. In order to get to the position, to even earn your finances, you have to be mentally well," Henson told BET.com. "So, I'm trying to make sure that we are taking care of our mental so that we can continue the fight because it is a fight to be a Black person in America, [and] in the world. But how can you fight if you're not [mentally] well?"
Her foundation employed creative solutions at the symposium to reach teens. They used Hip-hop therapy, a modality celebrity therapist, Dr. Jeff J. Rocker, says works to help educate people about their mental health and learn how to express themselves.”
Eden Harris
"Through the use of Hip-hop lyrics and content, the stage is set to provide valuable material to create a dialogue with students," Dr. Rocker told BET.com. "We teach students to empathize with others and notice signs of mental health battles within themselves and those they interact with by reflecting on their experience.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among Americans aged 10 to 24 increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021. "Right now, there is a higher rate of suicides among kids, mainly because they don't know how to express themselves," Dr. Rocker said.
Additionally, the National Insititute of Health reports that 82% of transgender individuals have reported having suicidal thoughts, while 40% have attempted suicide, with the highest prevalence observed among transgender youth.
Jacie Michelleé, a 17-year-old transgender student from Friendly Senior High School, said this experience has been "life-changing."
"I've never had anything like this. I've never been a part of anything like this. It's different from what I'm usually used to doing. I'm always active within my school, but this is another step in making sure that everybody is aware of certain things [surrounding mental health]," she said.
Michelleé said she used to have severe "anxiety attacks" and added that this program helped her "better understand what [she] couldn't understand when [she] was younger.”
Eden Harris
Michelleé and other students opened up about their challenges over hip-hop beats, with Dr. Rocker leading the way.
The teens rapped over rapper Sexyy Red's "SkeeYee" beat, singing, "No interest in anything. Isolation feels like my only friend; I'm in a cycle that never seems to end. SkeeYee."
Across the room, in dueling fashion, another group of students sang to Lil Baby's "Grind Mode" beat, singing, "Trouble concentrating or making decisions, mental health, baby, that is my mission."
While closing out the session, Dr. Rocker encouraged the teens to continue using music: "Whether it be poetry, whether it be writing, whether it be journaling, it all means the same, which is to express yourself to the best of your capabilities."
Black men, take off your capes
The message communicated at the session about religion, spirituality, and its intersection with therapy was that it's okay to cry and be vulnerable.
"Jesus wept. That weeping was a cleansing, and I think for us as people, we need to cry, and I'm talking about we need to physically cry...some of us are carrying so much trauma that we can't even sit still. That we lay down at night, we can't rest, but we are sleeping but are not resting," Dr. Jay Barnett, a family therapist, told the audience.
Discovering masculinity by embracing vulnerability was front and center on a panel that featured BET's actor Davale Ellis from the Tyler Perry show "Zatma." He said he teaches his four boys a thing or two about being open about their feelings.
Eden Harris
(BET star Davale Ellis from Tyler Perry's show “Zatima” talks about mental health at The Boris L. Henson Foundation's "Can We Talk" 2024 symposium in Prince George's County, M.D., at the Gaylor Hotel on May 31, 2024. Eden Harris/Bet.com)
"The biggest thing I teach my boys is that vulnerability isn't a weakness; it's a strength, and the more vulnerable you can be and let people know who you truly are, the more they will understand and empathize with who you are," Ellis told BET.com. "Putting up this facade that everything is always okay is the quickest way to lead yourself to being exhausted, overwhelmed and overworked, so learn how to be vulnerable because that's part of your masculinity."
The mental health symposium featured artists and advocates who use art to help people cope with strong emotions as they move through the world.
Twenty-five-year-old Mahkai Dominique, a mental health advocate and artist, says when people look at her artwork, she wants them to "look within and to know they are not alone in this lifetime." Dominique says she had difficulty speaking up for herself and that every line on the canvas represents her breathing to help her get through her feelings.
What's next for Henson’s mental health efforts
Henson says, "We need a huge weekend event with performers and a stage." She references Mary J. Blige's recent Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit. She says getting families involved is a safe way because it won't look "clinical" but will look like a "good time."
"You're going to leave with something that's going to make you better. We're going to make you self-efficient in finding your joy," she said during a press conference.
The date for the festival has not been disclosed.
taraji p hensonThe Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
