How Grandmothers Help People Overcome Depression

Amazing project in Zimbabwe.

Imagine sitting at the bench in your neighborhood, with one of the oldest women in your community, who knows all the challenges and cultural codes, sits with you, listening to you without judgment, showing empathy, and accepting your pain and problems with genuine compassion.

This is exactly how the ‘friendship bench’ project is formulated.

Source: https://www.friendshipbenchzimbabwe.org/

Dixon Chibanda is a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe. While he was working, he realized that there were too few specialists to provide timely care to many people who suffer from different psychological problems in remote areas of Zimbabwe. Calling people to hospitals or centers doesn’t solve the problem, as those from disadvantaged areas of the community often can’t afford transportation.

Thus, an idea emerges that could significantly support social inclusion: ‘’the role of grandmothers in society.’’ Those who are most knowledgeable about caregiving and culture. In fact, this idea not only supports those with psychological problems but also provides a new psychological resilience to grandmothers who assist with training. Because, as in many societies, older people are no longer perceived as contributing to well-being, but rather struggle with stereotypes of isolation.

The Friendship Beach formation has a motto: “Reimagining the delivery of evidence-based mental healthcare in Zimbabwe.” The vision is to have a friendship bench within walking distance for all.

So, the fact that support is so accessible actually aligns perfectly with a rights-based approach.

In his talk, Dijon Chibanda also discusses how he educates grandmothers from a mental health perspective. This may seem like an unrealistic task for those with no prior experience in mental health. However, as with the principles of psychological first aid, you don’t necessarily need to be a mental health professional to provide emotional support to people in the community. All you need is a willingness to understand fundamental principles like confidentiality, empathy, and a survivor-centered approach, while also striving to be an active listener.

In summary of the methodology of Friendship Beach:

‘’Train community health workers in simple, evidence-based problem-solving therapy, the organization makes mental healthcare accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Sessions take place outdoors on wooden benches, followed by peer-support groups that build connection, reduce stigma, and even create income-generating opportunities. Together, this approach strengthens wellbeing, a sense of belonging, and resilience across communities.’’

The conclusion: After Chibanda pioneered the Friendship Bench program, a community-driven initiative addressing loneliness, depression, substance abuse, and suicide by fostering intergenerational connectedness. Since then, more than 700,000 people worldwide have sat on a park bench to share their personal stories with an empathetic grandmother.

A very impressive example.

A fantastic mental health project.

If you wanna learn more about Friendship Bench, you can find it in Professor Dijon Chibanda’s book ‘How 14 grandmothers inspired a mental health revolution’ and his Tedtalk ‘Why I train grandmothers to treat depression’

Source: Goodreads