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Over $700K funding was secured to house VI’s mentally ill– Hon Penn

- calls for intervention & dedicated facility to handle mental illness in VI
In light of a spate of recent crimes committed by persons with perceived mental illnesses in the Virgin Islands (VI), Opposition Member, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called for provisions to be made for not only unproductive people suffering from mental illness but productive members of society who face mental illnesses locally. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Penn was a guest on the June 22, 2023, edition of Da Morning Braff radio with Floyd Burnett on Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM what touching on the topic of mental Illness in the VI. Photo: Facebook
Hon Penn was a guest on the June 22, 2023, edition of Da Morning Braff radio with Floyd Burnett on Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM what touching on the topic of mental Illness in the VI. Photo: Facebook
FAT HOGS BAY, Tortola, VI– In light of a spate of recent crimes committed by persons with perceived mental illnesses in the Virgin Islands (VI), Opposition Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), who shadows issues relating to health and social development in the VI, has called for provisions to be made for not only unproductive people suffering from mental illnesses but also productive members of society who face such challenges locally.

Hon Penn was a guest on the June 22, 2023, edition of Da Morning Braff radio show with Floyd Burnett aka Heritage on Tola Radio VI 100.5 FM, where he added that “Mental challenge is not just for those individuals who it’s obvious with, there's some persons who seem to be productive but the challenge with mental issues on a daily basis,” he said.

Hon Penn said that while all persons may face their own mental health challenges on a daily basis, there is a need for a local level of support to help get persons through certain challenges.

“One of the things that I looked at [is], we were able to visit a facility in Bermuda and they're going away from the approach of medicating persons all the time. We looked at the possibility of securing sort of a transition home for persons like that who’re going through those challenges so that we have someone there on a daily basis to take care of them.”

VI in need of mental health facility - Hon Penn 

Hon Penn said as the former Minister for Health and Social Development, plans were in place to have a facility built and services provided; however, he remains unsure if the Natalio D. Wheatley government is moving forward with those plans.

“But we need to have facilities, not necessary facilities just to medicate persons and give them injections… but just to be able to be there and help them transition through these different issues that they're facing,” he added. 

Hon Penn said that many of the persons seen on the streets in Road Town are also only in need of a place to live, therefore placement for these individuals is necessary.

He said when he left the ministry, there was some $700,000 plus in funding secured to inject into a transitional home for mentally ill persons.

“It goes back to the fact that we need to have a properly structured housing scheme for the country, one that is sustainable, one that is cost-effective, that we could get persons like that into homes,” he said.

14 Responses to “Over $700K funding was secured to house VI’s mentally ill– Hon Penn”

  • Roddi (26/06/2023, 11:24) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Here we have a very poorly written and poorly thought-out story from a dejected soul. Ok, you did not get the position you wanted to lead the country, so just pickup the pieces and get the help required for the targeted population.
    Don't Just talk about it. - be about it!!!
  • Heritage (26/06/2023, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    So if Heritage show stop the other news site don’t have news. If you want to write so much about what he says speak about the agendas that are coming to play
  • HMMM (26/06/2023, 14:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon is challenged in the area of truth and integrity so you can believe nothing he says at any time and on any subject.
  • How come? (26/06/2023, 14:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come Marlon never speaks about the robbery with the eight-million-dollar airplane deal? I wonder why.
  • East youth (26/06/2023, 14:14) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This man done sell out his people to the colonial masters to secure his freedom.
  • facts (26/06/2023, 14:15) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Marlon is a professional confusion maker. He has lost touch with reality.
  • NDP supporter (26/06/2023, 14:16) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    My NDP is going nowhere fast once this deceiver remains the Head of the party.
  • smdh (26/06/2023, 14:18) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    As usual the only time he speaks of anything positive done in Government was when he was a minister but at the same time, he refuses to take any responsibility for what did not go right under his watch.
  • Strupes (26/06/2023, 14:25) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon canceled the money for the incinerator when he was Minister of health but he did not talk that. I am fed up of hearing Marlon. All he does is complain and bad talk.
  • To Marlon (26/06/2023, 14:26) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you are going to try to take credit for what you did as Minister of Health then also make sure you take blame for what all you failed to do. You cannot have it both ways.
  • reality (26/06/2023, 14:28) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Marlon himself is mentally ill and this is not a joke. The guy needs serious help. All the signals are showing he has lost it but most are playing blind to them. Everything around him is crumbling.
  • How? Where? Who? (26/06/2023, 14:58) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where is the data to supports MP's statement that the spate of crimes are being committed by persons perceived to have mental illness? Many of the crimes are so well coordinated that mental illness is the least likely proponent. It is important that all politicians of the Virgin Islands collect the necessary statistics available before talking piss and piddle.
  • action (26/06/2023, 18:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As much as I detest AA from the 9th, ineptness to the 7th generation. Number 8 you can't be trusted, you lie too damm much. What is this story going around that that you can't keep your wife. I saw a couple photos of you on the campaign trail, the way you dressed I was not impressed. One thing about slowman the most hated man in tola he dresses to suit his position.


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