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Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Correspondent

FRANK Chirisa, a comedian and suicide survivor, has taken it upon himself to confront mental health issues through humour.

With suicide instances on the rise, many argue that there is a greater need to talk about mental health; yet, for Chirisa, laughing about it is more beneficial in increasing awareness.

He has organised a comedy show, “Frank Chirisa’s Funny Stories That Heal” that will be launched on Friday and will run every fortnight until the end of November.

Chirisa said the show will be hosted by Ntando Van Moyo.

Umahlekisa Comedy Club director Ntando Van Moyo

“Frank Chirisa’s Funny Stories That Heal seeks to raise Mental Health awareness through comedy, poetry, music, and dance. Being a suicide survivor whose story trended, I decided to let people into my life so that I can motivate them from what I’ve learnt. I seek to do so through humour,” he said.

“It’s not every time that we have to be serious about these things, sometimes we have to laugh about them, thereby addressing them in disguise.”

 The first show, a collaboration of Umahlekisa Comedy Club, Hope City Church, and Young People Saved With Amazing Grace will be held at the Hope City Centre in Bulawayo.

“For the first show, I’ll be supported by Swazy, J Garnet, Dalu Da Comedian, and Siboe The Poet. Jemima Mandemwa, the reigning Miss Planet Zimbabwe will be the guest speaker. Ntando Van Moyo will be the host,” Chirisa said.

He said they have also engaged 15 young creatives to perform.

“Mental health is something that we have to joke about in a bid to talk about these issues and raise awareness because they have extreme outcomes, especially when one has no one to talk to. We hope to grow this movement so that it reaches other parts of the country as we fight for mental health.

“I’m so excited because my parents will be coming to watch me for the first time. I really feel like I have points to prove to the world, myself, and my doubters as I want to inspire and save someone out there,” he said.

“I have fire jokes about what I’ve been through so this event is certainly one not to miss.” – @SeehYvonne