Dr. Dixon Chibanda developed the 'Friendship Bench' in 2006 after a personal tragedy highlighted the dire mental health needs in Zimbabwe. Recognizing the insufficient mental health resources—just 10 psychiatrists for 13 million people—he trained local grandmothers, who are respected community figures, to offer support and talk therapy. The program was initially met with stigma when called the 'Mental Health Bench' but thrived after rebranding. By 2022, over 300,000 individuals sought help from the expanded network of over 3,000 older listeners, emphasizing the impact of culturally sensitive approaches in mental health care.
The 'Friendship Bench' program created by Dr. Dixon Chibanda trains grandmothers in Zimbabwe to provide vital mental health support in their communities, combating stigma.
Initially dubbed the 'Mental Health Bench,' the program faced challenges with stigma until the name was changed to 'Friendship Bench,' promoting community acceptance.
With over 3,000 older listeners involved, the Friendship Bench program has offered mental health support to more than 300,000 individuals in Zimbabwe, showing significant community impact.
Chibanda's journey is detailed in his book, 'The Friendship Bench: How Fourteen Grandmothers Inspired a Mental Health Revolution,' documenting the remarkable roles of local grandmothers.
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