Friendship Bench - Zimbabwe

Friendship Bench - Zimbabwe Friendship Bench Zimbabwe is an evidence-based mental health intervention. We provide free talk therapy. We are a member of the Friendship Bench global network.
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Friendship Bench provides free mental health and psychosocial support for people struggling with mild to moderate mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Working with community health workers trained in problem-solving therapy and behavioural activation we are bridging the mental health treatment gap in Zimbabwe and beyond. The talk therapy intervention is accessible at primary care clinics as well as via WhatsApp so it is widely accessible.

06/08/2026

Mental health challenges among youth are receiving more attention today. What are some of the most common issues young people are facing, and why is it important to address them early?

Every young person deserves a space where they can speak openly, be heard and feel supported without fear of judgment an...
04/08/2026

Every young person deserves a space where they can speak openly, be heard and feel supported without fear of judgment and that is why the Youth Friendship Bench programme was formed.

Through this programme we are creating safe spaces where young people feel understood, valued and empowered while promoting hope, resilience and positive mental well-being.

To date since 2019, we have trained over 200 young peer supporters to provide peer-to-peer mental health support, helping to ensure that no young person has to face life's challenges alone.

Our hope is to build a generation that chooses compassion over stigma, connection over isolation and hope over despair.

Today we celebrate our 2025/26 cohort of Youth Friendship Bench Buddies as they have come to the end of their internship...
03/08/2026

Today we celebrate our 2025/26 cohort of Youth Friendship Bench Buddies as they have come to the end of their internship and are about to return to their universities after months of learning and creating safe spaces for young people to be heard and supported.

Their compassion, dedication and willingness to listen without judgement has touched many young lives. Today they leave not only with valuable experience and skills, but with the knowledge that they have made a meaningful difference in communities across Harare.

Thank you for being ambassadors of hope and mental well-being. We wish you every success in your academic journey and look forward to seeing the impact you will continue to make.

Behind every number is a life touched, a family strengthened and a community that now has a Friendship Bench within a wa...
17/07/2026

Behind every number is a life touched, a family strengthened and a community that now has a Friendship Bench within a walking distance.

Our impact at a glance:�
💚 1,000,000+ people reached with mental health support�
👵🏾 2,500+ trained community health workers delivering care where it's needed most�
🏥 300+ health facilities that have a Friendship Bench across all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe

These milestones reflect the power of community-led mental healthcare and what is possible when communities and various collaborators come together with one goal in mind, which is to create access to mental health support.

Together with our partners, communities and dedicated grandmothers and grandfathers, we are making mental healthcare more accessible one conversation at a time.

16/07/2026

Simply letting people know that help exists can be the difference between suffering in silence and beginning a journey toward healing.

Grandmothers in Zimbabwe are trusted custodians of culture, respected community leaders and familiar faces people naturally turn to in times of uncertainty. Their credibility allows people to feel safe and be vulnerable with them. When they stand before a community and speak, people listen. And sometimes, among those listening is someone quietly carrying grief, trauma, anxiety or hopelessness.

15/07/2026

Is there a Friendship Bench in Matabeleland North?

Here is an answer to this frequently asked question.

We are excited to share the publication of our latest research, Using a Theory of Change to Integrate Digitalised Lived ...
12/07/2026

We are excited to share the publication of our latest research, Using a Theory of Change to Integrate Digitalised Lived Experiences into the Youth Friendship Bench as an Adjunctive Intervention for Treating Common Mental Disorders Among Young People in Zimbabwe, published in Discover Psychology.

This study presents a Theory of Change for integrating digitalised lived experiences into the Youth Friendship Bench model, demonstrating how technology and storytelling can complement evidence based problem solving therapy to better support young people experiencing common mental disorders.

By centring the voices and experiences of youth, this approach aims to make mental health care more relatable, engaging and accessible. The publication reflects our continued commitment to research, innovation and developing scalable mental health solutions that respond to the evolving needs of young people in Zimbabwe and beyond.

We extend our sincere appreciation to The Human Aspect, all collaborators, researchers, partners and the young people whose insights and experiences contributed to this important work.

Read the full publication here🔗: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44202-026-00713-8?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20260623&utm_content=10.1007/s44202-026-00713-8

At Friendship Bench, we believe that open conversations are the foundation of change. Every discussion on mental health ...
10/07/2026

At Friendship Bench, we believe that open conversations are the foundation of change. Every discussion on mental health helps challenge stigma, encourages early help seeking and reminds people that they do not have to face life's challenges alone.

We are grateful to the organisers of the SASA Mental Health Festival for creating a platform that brings people together to learn, share experiences and collectively advocate for better mental wellbeing.

09/07/2026

One of our Top Charities, Friendship Bench has been working in Zimbabwe for 20 years to get people out of depression and anxiety through structured talk therapy delivered in a community setting.

Read the interview in our latest blog post to find out more about their unique approach: https://happierlivesinstitute.short.gy/T4KtjE

The Econet Victoria Falls marathon provided an opportunity not only to celebrate physical fitness but also to remind peo...
09/07/2026

The Econet Victoria Falls marathon provided an opportunity not only to celebrate physical fitness but also to remind people that mental health is an essential part of overall health.

We are grateful to everyone who visited our stand, shared their experiences and took a step towards prioritising their wellbeing.

Address

4 Weale Road
Harare

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00
Thursday 09:00 - 16:00
Friday 09:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+263715191738

Website

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