The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of challenges and disruptions to our lives. The livelihood of people has been affected and the pandemic has taken a toll on people’s mental and psychological health. In Zimbabwe, Friendship Bench, a community-based approach is providing solutions to people struggling with their mental health during this pandemic.
Friendship Bench is a community project which trains grandmothers and other volunteers in cognitive behavior therapy using evidence-based talk therapy in their communities. The grandmothers are custodians of local wisdom and culture across Zimbabwe. They sit on a bench while offering counseling and mental illness services to support community members through issues like depression and anxiety