Erica's inability to access help when it mattered most had a profound impact on Dixon. He felt inspired to bridge this gap in access to mental health care, but wasn't sure how to do it. Then he caught wind of a local ceremony nearby where an elderly woman was leading the healing process. "I kind of realized that there was something in having an older woman who has wisdom and experience reaching out"
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations with scientists about how to live healthier, happier lives.
Psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Chibanda has been on a mission for years to help people gain access to mental healthcare in his community. In Zimbabwe, there is only one psychiatrist for every 1.5 million people. To bridge the gap and provide folks with the help they so desperately need, Dixon turned to a rather unorthodox group for help: grandmothers.
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