By Beng Emmanuel Kum
Certified soft-skill trainer, counsellor, and empowerment coach Bernice Enang has launched a new book aimed at addressing the emotional challenges, mental health struggles, and identity transitions experienced by African men.
The publication, titled Finding You: Negotiating Life’s Transition, Upscaling the Whole, was officially presented to the public on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Yaoundé. Reviewed by prominent journalist and civil society actor Comfort Mussa, the book is structured into three thematic parts: the diagnosis, negotiation, and growth.
Speaking during the ceremony, Enang described the book as the culmination of a three-year journey, noting that it was born out of a perceived gap in the self-development literary market regarding the specific realities faced by men in the African context.
Enang connected the societal silence surrounding men’s mental health to broader social issues, noting that the first half of 2026 has recorded at least 26 cases of feminicide. She attributed such violence, in part, to unaddressed emotional trauma and a lack of emotional regulation among men who feel societal pressure to suppress vulnerability.
”If men cry about it, the world will label it as weakness,” Enang told reporters. “In this situation, men should not be accused but educated to speak up when they find themselves in a tight corner.”
While centered on the male experience, Enang stated that the book is intended for a broad audience, including women and children, as a tool to foster healthier family dynamics and community thriving.
Funds raised during the launch event will go toward supporting the activities of the First Housebound Foundation (FiHoF), an organization dedicated to empowering men on family responsibilities and building harmonious households.
In her review, Comfort Mussa commended the author for tackling an under-explored topic within the Cameroonian context. Mussa highlighted that the book is practical, accessible, and uniquely rooted in real Cameroonian and African experiences.
She noted that the text effectively balances prose with practical affirmations to address concepts of masculinity, emotional intelligence, resilience, and legacy.
The launch event also featured a panel discussion titled “Identity, Masculinity, and Mental Health Awareness for Family Harmony and Thriving Communities.”
During the panel, Elangwe Elenga discussed the heavy societal expectations placed on men alongside a lack of resources, citing global statistics showing that young men make up 97% of prison populations.
Psychotherapist Elysée Fossi concluded the panel by encouraging men to dismantle the stigma surrounding vulnerability, stating that showing emotional weakness is a human trait and that men should be actively encouraged to seek professional help.
