Two local authors are preparing to launch new books derailing very personal accounts of their life and struggles with bipolar affective disorder.
Mark Brownlee, from Armagh, is following up on an earlier novel and has chosen poetry as his latest medium.
Following the success of his debut, Manic, which was launched in Newry in 2023, Mark – a mental health support worker for the Southern Trust in the Newry and Moure area – has decided to follow it with this poetry collection.
Aptly entitled Mania, it shines a light on his time at Bluestone Psychiatric Hospital in Craigavon between December 2014 and May 2015.
While it may seem impossible to make sense of the nonsensical or to rationalise the absurd, he attempts to do so in his poetry collection by employing psychology, myth, symbolism and scripture to portray the profound experience of psychosis.
Mark Brownlee’s new book Mania.
Also launching his book – My Life So Far – is fellow author Eamon McKeever, from Creggan.
The two have come together for a joint launch at Ballybot House in Newry on Wednesday, June 10, at 6pm.
Each work focuses on the author’s life and struggle with bipolar affective disorder, which for both men resulted in an admission to a psychiatric hospital.
The joint launch will feature book signings, readings and interviews with the authors, during which they will discuss their experiences with mental health.
Asked why he wrote the book, Mark confided: “These are very personal poems that I have been sitting on for over a decade. I think now is the right opportunity to share what was a very traumatic time for myself and my family.
“My intent is that others with a similar story might find comfort and hope in the darkness.”
Eamon McKeever.
Eamon’s debut work is one man’s struggle to overcome issues like abuse from his childhood.
For a long time, he has sensed a need to share his story to help others who have gone through something similar to him.
It’s an honest account of someone coming to terms with himself and overcoming mental health issues. It is for anyone who has ever felt low, alone or does not know where to turn to in despair.
He beautifully describes his life experiences in a way that evokes a range of emotions in the reader; he offers hope in the face of bleak life circumstances and tries to give an accurate portrayal of bipolar disorder.
Said Eamon: “My endeavour has always been to shine a light on bipolar disorder. It would be fair to say I didn’t always know what was going on in my head, but I’m so blessed to say that I haven’t been admitted to a psychiatric hospital for five years.
“Although I still have difficult days, I hope there are still better days ahead.”
Each book will be sold at the launch for £5 and proceeds from the event will go to support the work of the Samaritans.
Both books are also already available on Amazon here (Mania) and here (My Life so Far).
