Patrick Roche

Patrick Roche is an award-winning poet, mental health advocate, and Carly Rae Jepsen enthusiast from New Jersey. Videos of Patrick’s work have amassed 9 million views on YouTube, making him one of the most popular spoken word poets. Patrick has competed or been featured at multiple national and international competitions and festivals, including placing 3rd in the world at the 2016 Individual World Poetry Slam and 2nd at the 2017 Capturing Fire international queer slam. He has shared stages with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RUN DMC, Pitch Perfect star Brittany Snow, Everybody Hates Chris and The Walking Dead star Tyler James Williams, and Olympic Gold Medalist Chamique Holdsclaw. Patrick’s work has appeared in or been published by Button Poetry, UpWorthy, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, MSN, Beech Street Review, Gal Pals Present, Freezeray Press, Voicemail Poems, and his mom’s fridge.

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown

A poetry collection pulling from the author’s personal narrative to take the reader on a journey through family, mental health, grief, pop culture, body image, queer identity, love, joy, memory, myth, and magic. The collection follows a trajectory of 1) exploring identity, avoidance, escapism, and shame, then 2) facing and confronting fears, shame, grief, and self-image, and finally 3) breaking down stigma, searching for joy, finding self-acceptance, and the value of storytelling and sharing as a tool to connect, love, and choose progress.

Awards

2022 Eric Hoffer Awards – Finalist (Poetry)

Praise for A Socially Acceptable Breakdown

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is an invitation to healing the relationship between the Brain, the Body & the Being through honest self-reflection and self-forgiveness.
— FreeQuency, author of Becoming//Black

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is a masterclass in storytelling, and a reminder that sometimes the most important victory is surviving to tell the story.
— Brandon Melendez, author of Gold That Frames the Mirror

One rarely expects to be undone by syntax, but here I am. Walloped. A Socially Acceptable Breakdown reminds us how cruel the psyche can be. And also how majestic.
— Jeanann Verlee, author of prey, Said the Manic to the Muse, and Racing Hummingbirds

Make no mistake, A Socially Acceptable Breakdown is a magic show on-page that leaves the reader in awe, it isn’t just the show, it’s the show-stealer you’ll want a ticket to.
— Omar Holmon, author of We Were All Someone Else Yesterday

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Patrick Roche in the Button Store

A Socially Acceptable Breakdown

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Button University: Patrick Roche Workshop

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