AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Snipd AI
In Zimbabwe, grandmothers are trained to provide mental health support through a talk-based cognitive therapy called Friendship Benches. Clinical trials found them more effective than conventional medical treatments. The program has expanded to Rwanda, Liberia, and London, combating stigma and providing solutions to mental health problems. Dr. Dixon Chibanda is also creating a virtual Friendship Bench through an online platform called the Inuka app.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The Friendship Bench program in Zimbabwe, which utilizes community grandmothers as mental health workers, has been proven to be more effective than conventional treatments in providing accessible and affordable therapy.
- The power of storytelling and the therapeutic alliance created by the grandmothers in the Friendship Bench program contribute to improving mental health outcomes by addressing a wide range of challenges and empowering clients.
Deep dives
Zimbabwe's Mental Health Crisis
Zimbabwe faces a mental health crisis, with an estimated one in four people suffering from depression or anxiety. Despite fewer than 20 psychiatrists in the entire country, a unique program has been implemented to address the issue. Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a Zimbabwean psychiatrist, enlisted the help of over 700 grandmothers to create an innovative solution. Dubbed the Friendship Bench, this program turns wooden benches into therapy destinations, providing affordable and accessible mental health care. Trained community grandmothers offer cognitive behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy, with astounding results.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode