The mental health of Black women is at the top of actress Taraji P. Henson’s list when it comes to bringing safe spaces for wellness to HBCU campuses.
Henson’s new ‘She Care Wellness Pods,’ brightly painted shipping containers offering a range of mental health resources will start popping up across HBCU campuses this spring; Alabama State University will have their pod installed first on April 15, 2023.
“You’ve got to take care of the women first because we drive change. Women are the change in most cases and so if you want to save the world, you save the women first,” Henson told Women’s Wear Daily.
In partnership with Kate Spade New York, Henson’s nonprofit, The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her father who struggled with mental health, will offer free virtual and in-person therapy sessions, yoga, meditation, dance therapy, workshops and rest pods.
Aiming to provide resources for more than 25,000 Black women, Henson, a Howard University alumna, says the Kate Spade New York collaboration made sense because they’re a ‘champion of good mental health,’ especially after the brand’s eponymous founder took her life in 2018.
“Our social impact mission is to empower women and girls across the globe by putting mental health at the heart of our approach,” said Liz Fraser, Kate Spade New York chief executive officer and brand president.
By investing $5 million toward the ‘She Care Wellness Pods,’ Kate Spade New York and The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation will work together to destigmatize mental health for women.
Feelings of sadness, loneliness and anxiousness are frequently reported by Black women, however, they are less likely to seek mental health support than white women. Mental health is not always looked at as a priority in Black communities because of stigma.
“Black women, we suffer from a myriad of disparities and health, pay and social injustices. No one really hears us when we’re saying we don’t feel well or we’re not doing well mentally today, so we want to provide safe spaces for these young women,” Henson told Women’s Wear Daily.
The ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ are specifically geared toward resources for female-identifying people, but soon The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation will expand and provide He Care and They Care Wellness Pods across HBCU campuses as the foundation’s initiative of Meeting You (students) Where You Are.
“The stress of balancing college life, separation anxiety, relationship issues, and depression commonly occur on college campuses,” Dr. Joyce Loyd-Davis, Alabama State University Sr. Director of Health Services, said.
“The ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ will be impactful for helping students cope with these issues and focus on a healthy mental well-being, ultimately restoring joy.”
Learn more about The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation wellness pods.