Taraji P. Henson Admits To Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts During Pandemic

BY Erika Marie 3.2K Views
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Taraji P Henson, Peace of Mind With Taraji, Suicide, Pandemic
After sharing her feelings with a friend, the actress found peace.

The effects of the pandemic have been felt since the first lockdown earlier this year. The uncertainty of COVID-19 and the impending quarantine affected billions of people worldwide as jobs were lost, cities were shut down, grocery store shelves were emptied, and 1.7 million people lost their lives because of the virus. Taraji P. Henson was one of those that struggled heavily during the quarantine, and she revealed on her Facebook Watch series Peace of Mind with Taraji that there were times when she contemplated suicide.

"During this pandemic, it's been hard on all of us, and I had a moment. I had a dark moment," said the actress. "I was in a dark place. For a couple of days, I couldn't get out of the bed, I didn't care. That's not me. Then, I started having thoughts about ending it. It happened two nights in a row." Taraji admitted that she bought herself a gun. 

"I could go in there right now and just end it all, 'cause I want it to be over." Taraji even rationalized that because her son is an adult, it would be something that he would heal from. However, she decided that she needed to tell a friend what she was feeling. "So, one day I just blurted it out to my girlfriend. She called me in the morning and I was like, 'You know I thought about killing myself last night. Oh my god, I feel so much better. I'm not gonna do it now.'"

Watch a portion of Peace of Mind with Taraji below. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for help at 800-273-8255.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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