Published Jan 26, 2021

Oscar Nominee Taraji P. Henson, 50, Shares Mental Health Struggles So Many Understand Amid COVID-19, Especially Those Fighting Cancer

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Taraji Talks Mental Health

Actress Taraji P. Henson is promoting frank conversations around mental health on her Facebook show, “Peace of Mind with Taraji.”
The actress shared that she struggles with depression and anxiety.
Taking care of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is important for everyone, especially those battling cancer.

Oscar-nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, 50, is openly talking about something so many people still think is taboo and we are loving her for it. In a Facebook Watch video series called Peace of Mind with Taraji, she discusses mental health and the importance of taking care of yourself. In a new video interview with Self, Henson said, “What I find disturbing in our community, in the African-American community, is that we can talk about a thyroid, cancer, breast cancer, AIDs even, but we won’t deal with the mental and that’s an issue.”

Henson said “there was no shame” when she recognized her struggles. She said, “I struggle with depression and anxiety. I realized it about 2 years ago. I noticed the mood swings. One day I’d be up, another day I’d be down. I wouldn’t want to go out in public. Almost agoraphobic…like, too much to deal with. Feel awkward in my skin; feeling out of sorts. Just down.” Henson said that mental health issues run in her family; she shared that her dad was manic depressive, and he passed away in 2006 after a battle with liver cancer.

Mental Health & COVID-19

Henson is one of many celebrities who are speaking out about mental health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increased rates of depression. During this time, many people are isolated, disconnected, struggling with loneliness, and also struggling with job insecurity and housing insecurity, as well as food insecurity. All this on top of worrying about catching a deadly respiratory virus. It’s a stressful time to be a human.

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We’re grateful that Henson is normalizing discussions around mental health. She told Self, “I’m speaking up now because we are in a national crisis,” said Henson. “I want people to know that it is okay to seek help.”

Seeking help for mental health struggles can look like: Going to therapy, going on anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication, taking up practices like yoga and meditation, and other mental-health-boosting activities, like exercise, proper sleep, etc. Whatever path you choose to alleviate your mental health struggles, know that there are resources out there and that there are people who can help. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

A Guided Meditation for the SurvivorNet Community

Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis

A COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only mental health disruptor out there, of course. Many factors, including genetics, may lead to mental health struggles. For some people, a difficult diagnosis like cancer may lead to depression. In a small percentage of people diagnosed with cancer, they may experience clinical depression.

Dr. Scott Irwin, the Director of Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai, said in a previous interview with SurvivorNet, “Depression is a really interesting topic, because a lot of people assume that, oh, they have cancer. They must be depressed. That’s actually not true. 85% of patients do not get what would be considered a clinical depression. 15% do. For prescribing medications for depression in the context of cancer, I often try to choose medications with the lowest side effect profile.”

Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis

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