Taraji P. Henson Says Mental Health Advocacy Changed Her Approach to Work [Video]

Taraji P. Henson is not afraid to speak up about mental wellness.

The Color Purple actress recently spoke with PEOPLE about her new children’s book, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!), and what mental wellness means to her.

“What inspired this book is that I work in mental health,” Henson tells PEOPLE. “I’m an advocate for mental wellness, and so it’s always about meeting people where they are and trying to help as much as I can — make this journey called life a little easier for all of us.”

Henson, 53, has long been an outspoken advocate for mental wellness.

She co-founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018, in honor of her father who served in the Vietnam War. Lawrence Henson died in 2005.

“I’m often reminded of how he just wore his heart on his sleeve. He didn’t hide anything,” Henson says. “He was bold enough to …