International Men’s Day was a very special day for me this year, not just that is was a celebration of men speaking out about their issues and lives but that a very special book project came to fruition, that I was asked to contribute to, on the subject of men’s health.

This year’s annual event had a global theme of the #wellbeing of men and boys and to celebrate the day, Discover Your Bounce Publishing launched a book called ‘The Bounce Back Journey of Men’s Health’

Here’s some information about this wonderful book:

18 men shared their stories of bouncing back from #stroke, #cancer, #abuse and marriage breakdown to support and inspire other men. The foreword is written by TV presenter Martin Roberts - Property Expert and the Afterword penned by the poet Jason Conway. The proceeds from book sales support mental health projects in Bristol.

Yes, that’s me mentioned in the promotional posts, that have been shared on social media, to market the book and its launch event!

I was asked by one of the Publishing team, at Discover Your Bounce, if I would like to write the Afterword for a book about men’s health and I jumped at the opportunity. I was really taken aback at the offer, that someone valued my opinions enough to ask me to contribute. For some time, I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery after one of life’s challenges came to rock my foundations, which left me struggling and lost.

But out of blue, a friend got in touch and asked if I would like to join a new poetry group that he was creating on Facebook. I thought to myself, why the hell not? I didn’t know it at the time but that was a life-changing decision that has given me so much fulfilment, success and a widespread poetry family. Not only that, but I have a new focus in life and a passion for writing, that has enriched all parts of my life and business.

It was a real privilege to write the Afterword and quite wonderful to know that other people would be reading my words and hopefully feel inspired by them. That’s a very humbling realisation. When I was first asked to contribute, I was also asked if I could share a poem at the book launch. I took the initiative to write a poem specifically about the book and the topic, one that helped to explain the issues that men have in the world as they grow from boy’s to adults as well as the permission to challenge expectations. I shared the poem with the publishers and they told me that they would love to include it in the book and now my words, in two forms, are printed in this important book about men’s health, which is now available to buy worldwide!

Opportunities like this are just wonderful experiences that boost confidence and help to reinforce the journey that I steer currently. My journey is focussed on educating people about social and environmental issues, using design, art, poetry and writing. This is a fabulous achievement for me, personally and professionally, to help others to discover ‘positive change’ in their lives.

As someone that left school with only 2 CSE’s (way back in the ’80s) after mental blocks in the exams, at the time, and facing a strange and uncertain future, my life’s been a wonderful ride, so far, of learning and sharing and right now, I’m in a great space.

At the book launch, which was held on Zoom, I heard many personal and sometimes raw accounts of men bouncing back, all recounted by some of the authors in the book. It was a powerful and inspiring evening and one with so much inspiration to take away.

Here is the list of authors that shared their stories in the book:

Andrew Boorman FCCA
Andy Hook
Brian Fakir
Chris Garvey
Danny Lloyd
Danny Matthews
David Johnson
Dev Ramnarine FCCA
Lee Bignell
Luke Westwood
Michael Harrison-Hastings
Nick Cann BEM
Nigel Briers
Owen Morgan
Paris Troy
Richard Kerr FCCA
Shekhar Varma

The book is available on Amazon as a paperback and on Kindle and it’s a must-read to anyone that is interested in mental health and wellbeing, not just men. It shows that even in some of life’s greatest, personal struggles, there is hope.

And here is my poem:

It’s All In The Bounce.

I’m told what to think and what to do,
To man-up, stand straight, stiff lipped,
Shush the voice inside that tells me to cry,
Because it seems, mine is to do or die.

I’m told to be strong and bold in life,
Be the man in charge of my direction,
Shut the door of suppressed emotions
And all those silly ‘girly’ notions 

But since when were feelings feminine?
When, in fact, we need to think in balance.
Should I ever fall from life’s bumpy wagon,
will I have the strength to face my dragon? 

Am I supposed to live a stereotype?
Conditioned from birth to not flinch,
My life is always under expected pressure
But if it breaks, how will I measure?

You see, I don’t want this heavy baggage,
So, I’ll unbuckle, learn how to be nimble.
Whatever the struggle or the task at hand,
It’s good to talk, to ask and understand.

I’ve realised, I’m happy with being me,
That I need love and support to thrive, 
That having self-knowledge is wealth
And it’s never weak to embrace mental health. 

So, should I hit a wall that blocks my path,
I’ll know to pause and take a deep breath,
Dust myself off and get back on track,
Yes, I will have the will to bounce right back!

#internationalmensday2020 #mentalhealth #mensmentalhealth #internationalmensday

This article was written by Jason Conway, an award-winning creative, artist, writer and poet, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire UK. You can find out more about his passions and his business at www.thedaydreamacademy.com or connect with him on social media.