Friendship Benches
The cognitive behavior therapy based intervention a problem solving approach is carried out by trained lay health workers.
Friendship benches. The friendship bench fb project is an evidence based intervention developed in zimbabwe to bridge the mental health treatment gap. The friendship bench started out as a research project and with cdn 1 million in funding from grand challenges canada in early 2016 the friendship bench program has since been scaled up to 72 clinics in the cities of harare gweru and chitungwiza total population 1 8 million. This task shifting approach means we can deliver an effective affordable and sustainable solution to bridge the mental health treatment gap at a primary.
The friendship bench clinical team trains community health workers also known as lay health workers to provide basic cognitive behavioural therapy with an emphasis on problem solving therapy activity scheduling and peer led group support. A friendship bench in malawi credit. Dixon chibana created the program by training grandmothers in the community to help support and listen to others.
The friendship bench project offers a brief psychological intervention addressing kufungisisa depression in primary care clinics in zimbabwe. The fb aims to enhance mental well being and improve quality of life through the use of problem solving therapy delivered by trained lay health workers focussing on people who are suffering from common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Friendship benches began in zimbabwe where dr.
The friendship bench is a means by which a child can seek support without the need to rationalize their feelings or to seek out a particular member of staff or special friend. The friendship bench is a destination where secondary and post secondary students who are struggling to connect with others and find it difficult to ask for help can talk with someone willing to offer an ear to listen with a shoulder to cry on or just a hello. We envision a world where a friendship bench is within walking distance for all.
Guided by our values of empathy and connection and anchored in over a decade of rigorous research we are reimagining the delivery of evidence based mental healthcare. The friendship bench zimbabwe nor do the grandmothers seem to get burnt out despite counselling people on the brink of crisis day after day.