The Friendship Bench

Dixon Chibanda's 'The Friendship Bench' tells the story of how a simple idea—training grandmothers in Zimbabwe to provide talk therapy on park benches—evolved into a global mental health movement.

The book highlights the importance of community, empathy, and cultural sensitivity in addressing mental health challenges.

It emphasizes the power of storytelling and human connection over traditional clinical approaches.

Chibanda shares personal anecdotes and research findings to illustrate the effectiveness of this community-based intervention.

The book also delves into the transformative impact the project had on both the grandmothers and the communities they serve.

It underscores the potential of leveraging local wisdom and resources to address mental health needs in resource-constrained settings.