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.

11/02/2026

We were honoured to spend two days with representatives from the Mulago Foundation during their visit to Zimbabwe. The visit provided valuable time for shared learnings, reflections, and meaningful engagement with the work taking place within our communities.

Mulago has been a crucial partner in our journey, playing a key role in enabling community-led mental health care and supporting the systems that drive sustainable long-term impact. Through this partnership, we have strengthened the Friendship Bench intervention by increasing access to evidence-based community-led mental health care that places people and communities at the centre of support.

The visit also created space to deepen a shared understanding of our scale strategy, particularly our ongoing process of transitioning the intervention into government systems. These conversations reinforced our collective commitment to sustainable scale ensuring that quality mental health care continues to reach more people through strong public sector ownership and integration.

We are honoured to receive a Basket of Hope Mental Wellness Award from our partner FASAA whose work is dedicated to figh...
09/02/2026

We are honoured to receive a Basket of Hope Mental Wellness Award from our partner FASAA whose work is dedicated to fighting drug and substance abuse.

This recognition speaks to the power of community-led mental health care and to the everyday work of our Grandmothers, Youth Friendship Bench, Open Line, and partners who show up with compassion, consistency and hope especially for those navigating recovery and vulnerability.

Mental wellness and substance use are deeply connected. When people are heard, supported and met where they are, healing becomes possible. We accept this award with gratitude and as encouragement to continue strengthening mental health support within our communities.

03/02/2026

Our vision as an organisation is to have a Friendship Bench within walking distance for all and this is exactly what we have tried to bring to reality in Harare through the support of our partners and donors.

Are you in Harare📍 and in need of someone to talk to? Here is a brief message from our Harare Implementation Manager to you…

🏆 From the longlist, To the shortlist,And NOW-To winning the USA Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) for 2025! The OWL...
29/01/2026

🏆 From the longlist, To the shortlist,
And NOW-To winning the USA Outstanding Works of Literature (OWL) for 2025!

The OWL spotlights the best books shaping society today.

"I hope The Friendship Bench inspires empathic community connectedness in the USA and beyond."- Dixon Chibanda, MD

29/01/2026

When people are given a safe space to express themselves, lives can be saved.

Grandmother Matekenya a mental health supporter in Mashonaland West shares that real change began when people were given a safe space to talk. She goes on to say that these conversations have helped save lives and restore hope, contributing to a noticeable reduction in su***de rates.

Meet Gogo Hwiza, who is now 96 years old! 💛As one of the first 14 grandmothers who started this movement in 2006, she ha...
28/01/2026

Meet Gogo Hwiza, who is now 96 years old! 💛

As one of the first 14 grandmothers who started this movement in 2006, she has spent decades creating safe spaces for those struggling with mental health. Her wisdom, kindness, and dedication reminds us that one person’s heart can change an entire community.

Gogo Hwiza, thank you for showing us the power of love, connection, and service. Your legacy lives on in every life you have touched.

22/01/2026

Exciting news!

Friendship Bench together with the University of Zimbabwe, and partners from Dutch & UK institutions have been awarded a $7 million grant from Wellcome. While the Friendship Bench is known for its wooden benches, we know there are many barriers that still keep people from getting the support they need. This funding will support the optimisation of our existing digital intervention to enhance access to the program across Zimbabwe and beyond. The project aims to expand access to mental health care, test innovative approaches, and strengthen our existing systems using digital platforms including AI.

This grant is a major step forward in our mission to get people out of depression, and our vision of having a Friendship Bench within walking distance for all! Making mental health care accessible, effective, and sustainable.

🔊 New Grant Announcement‼️
21/01/2026

🔊 New Grant Announcement‼️

Happy New Year💚As we step into a new year, we remain committed to creating safe spaces for healing, hope, and meaningful...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year💚

As we step into a new year, we remain committed to creating safe spaces for healing, hope, and meaningful conversations. Here is to stronger minds, supportive communities, and continued compassion in 2026.

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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Our Story

The Friendship Bench Project reduces the mental health treatment gap by using a cognitive behavioural therapy based approach at local clinics to address kufungisisa. The mental intervention for depression and anxiety is accessible in all primary care clinics in Gweru, Chitungwiza and Harare. Kufungisisa, the local term for depression, is literally translated into “thinking too much”. Individual problem solving therapy is offered from a specifically trained lay health worker (locally known as "Ambuya Utano").