In 2006, Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, was ordered by the government to deal with the severe mental health crisis afflicting the nation. However, there was literally a handful of psychiatrists in the entire country, which meant searching for a solution beyond conventional medicine. That forced him to consider grandmothers (Gogos) as his only option. Starting with a group of 14 Gogos, he began training them in cognitive therapy to treat depression on public benches.&nbsp; By creating a narrative tapestry through the stories of the Gogos and the lives of their clients, the film explores Dr. Dixon’s visionary initiative of establishing a Friendship Bench within communities everywhere. His initiative has since expanded throughout Zimbabwe into neighboring countries and beyond to communities all over the world.

The Friendship Bench

When community loses hope, grandmothers take action.

Interviewer: Ricky Human, SAFF Co-Director Interviewee: Dr. Bernhard Ripperger, Assistant Commissioner, Community Corrections Corrective Services NSW Interviewee: Dr. Dixon Chibanda, Visionary Psychiatrist

The Friendship Bench Q&A

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The Friendship Bench + Q&A

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