Jason Wilson is a prolific writer who found his niche in training young men. He teaches the next generation of men how to love and appreciate themselves, as well as the general journey of life.
At the Atlanta premier of The Forge, Wilson and his daughter, Alexis Wilson, spoke to rolling out about men’s mental health and the film.
What are you looking forward to with this film?
Jason Wilson: For me, because I’ve been working with boys since 2003 teaching, training and transforming them, [I’m looking forward] to seeing how the story unfolds.
When I saw the trailer, I was deeply moved, because for so long, that’s what I longed to see more prevalent in our communities, as a mentor, eagerly engaging a young man. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds and then, more so, that this message gets out to the world so more men would take the responsibility of becoming a light in a dark world to a young man and guide them to Christ.
Alexis Wilson: I honestly would second everything that you said.
I love seeing movies that have profound impacts. I think movies have the power to transport people into feeling, seeing and sensing things.
When movies are utilized as tools to spread a powerful message, that’s my favorite. So, I’m looking forward to it.
Jason, what are three mental health tips for young men in 2024?
Jason Wilson: Wow, that’s a good one.
The first thing I tell my boys is that mistakes are okay to make. A lot of times, they condemn themselves just for trying and then failing. So, I tell them: embrace the mistake. Mistakes are great teachers when we allow them to teach us.
No. 2 is that they’re good enough. A lot of times, they try to be older than they are, so they never really embrace their 6-year-old self, the 8-year-old self. As a byproduct, they end up not being able to make the most of the moment and then make detrimental decisions. So No. 2, of course, would be to believe that they’re good enough.
No. 3, the most important thing, is to make sure you’re walking the narrow path that leads to life. Me, being a believer, and I wasn’t always a follower of Christ, I was completely the opposite before 1997 when I surrendered my life to the Lord. I can say without question, if it wasn’t for His guiding light, I would still be lost. So, that actually would be No. 1 if I had to order them, but make sure they align their lives with the will of the Most High.
