Actress and producer Sanaa Lathan is using her platform to promote healing and self-awareness during Mental Health Awareness Month.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on May 2, Lathan encouraged her followers to embrace the power of setting boundaries, calling it a critical act of self-respect and personal peace.
“Kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with a reminder I wish I’d learned sooner: boundaries are self-respect in action,” Lathan wrote in the caption. “This book is a must-read. If you’re working on honoring your peace… definitely one to check out.”
The book she references is Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by licensed therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, which Lathan praises for its depth and clarity on the topic.
In the accompanying video, Lathan opened up about her personal journey, sharing that it wasn’t until six or seven years ago — during an “intense period” of therapy — that she truly learned what boundaries were.
“My therapist taught me what boundaries were, and it’s so much more complex… it’s actually harder to implement them in your life,” she explained.
The Love & Basketball star went on to reflect on how societal expectations, especially for women, often make setting boundaries difficult.
“We are taught to be selfless and to over-give. We’re applauded when we’re martyrs,” she said, adding that boundaries require one to “own your no” and “prioritize your needs first,” a radical act in a culture that often rewards self-sacrifice.
Lathan’s candid post adds to the growing chorus of celebrities using their influence to destigmatize mental health care and promote emotional wellness, particularly within the Black community.
