Zimbabwean Grandmother Therapy Goes Global: A Unique Mental Health Approach
In a country where professional mental health services are scarce, grandmothers in Zimbabwe are stepping in to provide much-needed therapy for those struggling with mental health issues. Inspired by traditional practices where grandmothers were sought out for wisdom in difficult times, this grassroots approach involves setting up benches in community clinics, churches, and neighborhoods where older women with basic training in problem-solving therapy offer a listening ear and engage in one-on-one conversations.
This innovative concept, known as the Friendship Bench, was pioneered by psychiatrist Dixon Chibanda, who was recently recognized with a $150,000 prize for revolutionizing mental healthcare. The initiative has now spread to places like the United States, with New York and Washington adopting similar programs to address mental health needs, especially in marginalized communities.
With the ongoing mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, the Friendship Bench provides a safe space for individuals to open up and receive support from a trusted figure. The program has proven to be successful, with over 200,000 Zimbabweans benefiting from therapy sessions with trained grandmothers in 2023.
As the global community grapples with mental health challenges, the Zimbabwean concept of utilizing grandmothers as mental health therapists offers a unique and culturally sensitive approach that is making a positive impact on individuals’ well-being. Through the wisdom and empathy of these grandmothers, communities are finding hope and healing in the midst of mental health struggles.
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