BLHF's COVID-19 Virtual Therapy - AVAILABLE NOW!
COVID-19 has had a profound and unprecedented impact on all of our daily lives. Social distancing, unemployment, sudden loss, are all drastic changes that can bring, what feels like, unbearable stress and anxiety into anyone’s life.
Given the life-changing events related to or triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are suffering in silence and isolation. The Boris L. Henson Foundation (BLHF) recognizes that during this difficult time, affording the cost of mental health services can be a barrier in the African-American community. Having to choose between a meal and mental health is not something that one should ever have to ponder.
We are extending services to cover those impacted directly or indirectly by the injustice and maltreatment of African-Americans observed over the last few weeks. BLHF is committed to being part of the long term solution.
BLHF launched the Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign to raise money for mental health services provided by licensed clinicians in our network. Individuals with life-changing stressors and anxiety due to the troubling events of this unprecedented time, will have the cost for up to five (5) individual sessions defrayed on a first come, first serve basis until all funds are committed or exhausted.
ROUND TWO OPENS JUNE 5TH!
We have completed ROUND ONE and will begin accepting applications for ROUND TWO on June 5th. Please note that there is an extremely high volume and need for services. We will take as many new registrants as funds will allow. You will be notified within 48-72 hours if your application has been accepted.
If you’d like to support mental health and wellness in our most vulnerable communities,
Text NOSTIGMA to 707070
If you need IMMEDIATE help, please call the National Suicide Helpline at:
1-800-273-8255
No one should suffer in silence...
We're In This Together!
Our Vision
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation’s vision is to eradicate the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community.
What We Do
Our mission is to provide support and bring awareness to mental health issues that plague our community.
Who We Serve
We partner with other nonprofit organizations who offer programs that educate, celebrate, and make visible the positive impact of mental health wellness.
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Taraji P. Henson and led by Executive Director, Tracie Jade Jenkins. The foundation is named in honor of Ms. Henson’s father, Boris Lawrence Henson, who suffered with mental health challenges as a result of his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. We are committed to changing the perception of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging those who suffer with this debilitating illness to get the help they need.
One in five Americans suffer from mental illness. African-Americans are the least likely population to seek treatment. We were taught to hold our problems close to the vest out of fear of being labeled and further demonized as inapt, weak, and/or inadequate. African-Americans also have a history of being misdiagnosed, so there is mistrust associated with therapy.
Through our partnerships, the foundation will ensure cultural competency in caring for African Americans who struggle with mental illness by providing scholarships to African-American students who seek a career in the mental health field; offer mental health services and programs to young people in urban schools; and combat recidivism within the prison system.
We support organizations who educate, celebrate, and make visible the positive impact of mental health wellness.
The number of African-American children, ages 5-12, who have died by suicide between 2006-2016 (CDC)
Over 705, 000 people in state prison were reported to have mental issues in 2005, fifty-four (54%) were African-American. (BJS Survey)
2,837 Psychology PHDs were awarded to U.S. citizens in 2008, 5.8% were African Americans, 76% were Caucasian (APA Report)
Mental Health Support In Urban Schools
Reduce Prison Recidivism Rate
Increase the Number of African-American Therapists
African American youth in this country are exposed to trauma daily. Issues like poverty, mass incarceration and violence plague the…
Most African-Americans are taught to keep their business and feelings to themselves. This is because, if you are Black in…
"This is our legacy. This is our chance to make a difference. Together, we will break the silence and break the cycle!"
- Taraji P. Henson
Each of us at some point in our lives, has pondered God’s purpose for us. After much prayer and discernment, I truly believe I’ve found mine, The Boris Lawrence Henson…
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
CALL THE NAMI HELPLINE
M-F, 10 AM – 6 PM ET
Through its program, PROJECT PREVENT™, Project 375 provides Youth Mental Health First Aid Training; an 8-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents.
“I AM BIGGER THAN MY OBSTACLES”
We will increase mental health support in urban schools that demonstrate the highest need based on research and data collected from working groups consisting of Principals, counselors, teachers, social workers, parents and therapists.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of people who are released from prison return within three years. We will reduce this number by supporting organizations who offer mental health support to formerly incarcerated individuals through re-entry programs. Recipients will receive at least three years of consistent mental health support.
We will increase the number of culturally competent therapists in the African-American community by offering scholarships to highschool and college students who show interest in entering the field of Psychology.
© 2018 — The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation