Popular comedian calls for more focus on the mentally challenged

A popular local comedian suffering from a mental illness has called for more focus to be placed on the mentally challenged.

Franklyn Moses, also a well known radio personality, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder some time ago. He said in a press conference recently that he believed that the government should step in to support the mentally challenged.

“What happens after? Do you just discard the person? I was fortunate because I have a spiritual upbringing… all walks of life would encourage me back but it was not easy. I hope that the government would put something in the budget where you have an office, you have a forum where you know if it’s a priest or pastor, a few people that will keep your secret …” he told the conference.

Moses went on to describe the effects his illness has had on him and how he was able to cope through the support of friends.

“Other friends in Dominica say something wrong with. You don’t know that something is wrong with you; as far as you’re concerned, you’re alright. And they brought me in quite reluctantly, and for a couple of weeks they treated me…. Had it not been for my spiritual upbringing, I had something else to hold unto, having come out of it the first year and a half I had the struggle fitting back in society again,” the comedian said.

“Why I’m here today? To say yes I’m Franklyn Moses. Everybody knows and I have been to the psychiatric unit. I’ve been there and I got the assistance that was necessary by Dr. Benjamin and his staff and I have not been there again because I listened to other people and him and I’ve learned to balance my life, because stress, one of the things that we have to do here is create hopefully, as part of my topic for today, increase the human resource capacity to improve quality care,” he said.

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18 Comments

  1. Lizavier4Jesus
    October 13, 2010

    Franklin Moses, you said: “Had it not been for my spiritual upbringing” but what you needed to do was to put more emphasis on that statement. God wants us to give Him the glory–the way we tell every one in our surrounding what His Love, which is consist of mercy and compassion can do in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

    One thing you should know is that, God knows how Satan can use our human nature to cause us to falter. Satan will cause us to nurture pride, selfishness, greed, and all the other fleshly desires that will prevent us from glorifying God’s Love in our lives. But God knows our ignorance and He will step in, before this happen to us because of our faith in Him. This could have been the reason for the manifestation of mental illness in your life. God wanted you to humble yourself, that He would cause you to see His work of Love in your life. But you must testify about it in full and thorough words to give Him the glory; and continue to remain with your humble attitude.

    God worked in you to revive your mental illness through those people that you talked about. He did not want to do that through the government. Today, you would be exalting the government for their service, because of your recovery of mental illness. But God has said no flesh shall glory in His presence. 1st. Corinthians 1: 29

    There is nothing wrong in looking into what our Government will do for us, but in this world, it is difficult to find men of Government, who understands that they must allow God to do His work for the benefit of His people and their land through them. And so, God does not work through those men. Their present examples of Leadership should support my point.

    We need to show God that we have surrendered to His Will in our lives, and He will demonstrate His Love in us, and through us. He did that for you, through your faith in His ability, and those people who helped you to pull you through. Tell the world about it in perfect words.

  2. NJ
    October 13, 2010

    My Dear Franklyn, words cannot express how much am happy to have you back… PRAYER works wonders. you are truly an amazing guy. I wish you the best as you fight to the very end.

    The Dominicans in the diaspora are behind you one hundred percent especially those from New Jersey who cannot forget the laughter and joy that you brought to thier hearts the last time you visited them in NJ.

    May God continue to bless you and keep you.

  3. henri
    October 13, 2010

    Hey Prince Mo, may the almighty continue to guide you as you grow in his grace, remember that he is only a prayer away.

  4. Reader
    October 13, 2010

    Mr. Moses, thank you for taking this public stand. A lot of our people have mental health issues and they suffer silently. Sometimes, we say they do them mal; sometime we say is what they do in their live; sometimes, we are quick to judge them and fear them although we do not understand them.

    Having a close relative with a similar diagnosis, I know how difficult it can be … there are good days and bad days. It is a lifelong battle. Not only do those so afflicted need “a priest or pastor” to speak with they also need access to quality affordable medication that will make the bad days more tolerable. Its good that the dialouge is finally starting!

  5. fUWP
    October 13, 2010

    Is that a joke…I am not into comedy

  6. Malcolm
    October 13, 2010

    Franklyn I am personally very proud of you and how much you’ve allowed yourself through the help of others to accomplish. It started by you gaining insightt into your mental condition in the following ways;

    1. You accepted that fact that your were mentally ill
    2. You came to terms with what caused/causes your mental illness
    3. You told yourself that help was available and accepted that help whether voluntarily or not, but felt that the illness can be treated.

    You demonstrate that mental health does not descriminate and neither should we and that anyone can be affected either directly or indirectly. You are now helping others deal with their own mental health issues.

    My friend remain focus and compliant to your treatment regimen (you know what it entails) and continue educating and entertaining the Dominican public in which you are ahead of the game. Stay blessed and keep the faith.

  7. anonymous
    October 13, 2010

    Very courageous. It is very true what you said about family support. This is the key. If anyone out there is going through the same, it is very important that the family members stand by them. It makes a huge difference. all the best.

  8. Perseverance
    October 13, 2010

    Wow to God be the glory. Franklyn you are a special man. God has been good to you so be faithful to him and serve him in spirit and in truth. I am adding you to my prayer list.

  9. fluffybooo22
    October 13, 2010

    im so proud of you my friend….u always did make a difference.. u keep me laughing

  10. Blackbeauty
    October 13, 2010

    Mr Moses my heart was glad reading this article, when u were going through ur situation my heart would break every time i saw you. I am really happy to see that you are back on tract. May the good Lord continue to Bless and keep you and may you find favour all where u go.

  11. lisad
    October 13, 2010

    Thank you Mr. Moses for telling the people how important and powerful prayer is…. keep moving forward and don’t look back except to help another who may be struggling too.

  12. BEST INTEREST
    October 13, 2010

    Mr. Moses, as a person who have supported someone in a similar situation, I can identify with you. The hardest part of all this is our society’s acceptance or rather non acceptance of the fact that any one can become victim of situations. They are very quick to judge and even quicker to throw you to the dogs. I am happy to say my experience was a success and I am happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery. Let me remind you that this is a lifetime battle. It is much easier when you have support especially from family and friends. Real friends never abandon you. Those who left were never friends and believe me, you do not need them.

    I have learnt that if you know Jesus you can overcome anything. Pray without ceasing. After two rehab sesions and continuous conselling, stength and prayer, success has been achieved. Keep praying Franklin, keep praying. Even in the face of danger and temptations, pray.

  13. yaw yaw
    October 13, 2010

    hey Mr Moses good to have you back may the lord continue to guide you and protect your every path you take. stay blessed.

  14. A friend who cares
    October 13, 2010

    Franklyn, I’m so proud of you! I’m one of your biggest fans and wondered what went wrong and wanted to reach out to you. Keep your head up, keep praying, I will continue to pray for you and your family. PS. When is the next show? God bless my friend.

  15. sunshine
    October 13, 2010

    Congrates Mr. Moses, I use to pass by and see u at funny place and i wondered to myself how can we let a good and talented man go down the drain. I always said hi to u wen i pass. Am happy for you man, may god continue to guide and protect you. Always believe in your self and pray to god everyday, kneel down and pray and most importantly always say thank you Lord.

  16. Muslim_Always
    October 13, 2010

    Oh my Franklin, I really do empathize with you. I see you at times but I never knew you had such an ordeal. I am very glad you were able to live through this. You have great talent Franklin, to be able to bring laughter to the hearts of the people.

    It is true the government has to focus on the mentally challenged. Of course the minister of health has that responsibility. What aspects of the mentally challenged should the government focus on? I think the proposition to the government should be more specific.

  17. Karkabeff
    October 13, 2010

    Obstinate boy it is a blessing to see you are back on track. Thank god you got the help you needed and I will keep praying for you. Stay strong my friend for god gives no Dominican more than they can bear. Don’t rely on this government because all they have is useless chat. The only thing they are good at are stealing and telling lies.

  18. Anonymous
    October 13, 2010

    Interesting…well done Mr. Moses for bringing your story to light…this can happen to anybody…our govt should focus on building resources to support persons suffering from mental health issues…is not only paros it can haoppen to…

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