The Friendship Bench: How Community Support is Changing Mental Health in Zimbabwe
Learn how the Friendship Bench initiative is helping thousands of Zimbabweans access mental health support through local, culturally-rooted, and practical solutions.
Overview
The Friendship Bench is a community-based mental health program in Zimbabwe, designed to provide accessible support for people experiencing emotional distress. It offers a safe, culturally-sensitive space for individuals to talk about their challenges and receive guidance from trained community health workers.
Launched to address the shortage of mental health services and the stigma surrounding them, the Friendship Bench empowers communities to care for each other. It builds trust and emotional resilience among participants, promoting mental well-being through simple, human-centered support.
How It Works
Trained community health workers, often respected local elders, sit with individuals on benches in public spaces. These structured conversations allow participants to express themselves, reflect, and develop practical strategies for managing emotional challenges.
Sessions are held in local languages and within culturally familiar settings, making it easier for individuals to speak openly. This culturally-grounded approach is key to the program’s success in building trust and reducing stigma around mental health.
Impact & Reach
The Friendship Bench has reached thousands of Zimbabweans, helping participants improve coping skills, build confidence, and strengthen family and community connections. By normalizing conversations about mental health, it has made support accessible to everyone.
Its success has led to adoption within clinics and broader health systems, demonstrating that community-led solutions can work alongside formal healthcare services while preserving simplicity, accessibility, and trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Friendship Bench is a community-based mental health program in Zimbabwe providing accessible, culturally-relevant emotional support through trained community health workers.
Anyone experiencing emotional challenges or stress can participate. Sessions are confidential and open to all community members, regardless of age or background.
Trained volunteers conduct structured conversations on benches in local communities. They listen, guide reflection, and help individuals find practical solutions to their problems.
The program’s success comes from its community focus, cultural relevance, accessibility, and the creation of a safe, judgment-free space for honest discussion.
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