Shocka is a UK artist who is honest and vulnerable about his struggles with mental health as a Black British, Nigerian man. Shocka writes about his success in the music industry and his gradual mental health decline. He makes connections between his life experiences and triggers that impacted his overall wellbeing. I appreciated the perspective he provides readers with on psychiatric hospitalization, the pros and cons of treatment, being misdiagnosed, and navigating the stigma around seeking out mental health support.

This is one of the most powerful portrayals I've read on schizophrenia because of the way Shocka is able to write about and speak to the experience of being removed from reality, having hallucinations and delusions that are often unpredictable and the community he had around him to lean on that truly benefited him on his healing journey. He addresses how medication management helped him, how music therapy and hip hop saved him, and how he gained control of his life by dealing with his challenges and no longer ignoring them.

He also writes about his close bond with his mother and the role she eventually plays in his taking his mental health hygiene seriously. This is a book everyone should read and most especially if you love someone with schizophrenia. I'm grateful Shocka decided to share his truth with the world. I know it will help many others trying to make sense of scary experiences as it related to their interior world.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!