Taraji P. Henson got emotional as she testified before the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health on Friday. “It breaks my heart to know that five-year-old children are contemplating life and death,” she offered. “That one is tough for me. So I’m here to appeal to you, because this is a national crisis.”
She went on to point out that kids are “supposed to feel safe in school” and spoke of the need for mental health counselors and education – especially in the Black community – as the rate of youth suicides rise. “I really don’t know how to fix this problem,” Henson offered. “I just know that [the] ages of the children that are committing suicide are getting younger and younger.”
As for her involvement, Henson noted she’s happy to use her fame. “I’m here using my celebrity, using my voice, to put a face to this because I also suffer from depression and anxiety,” Henson noted. “We need each other. This is me reaching across the table, trying to lend a helping hand in the best way I can. We have to save the children.”
