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.

Here are some of the key milestones we have achieved over the past 20 years.A big THANK YOU to all that partnered and su...
29/04/2026

Here are some of the key milestones we have achieved over the past 20 years.

A big THANK YOU to all that partnered and supported us during this journey.

28/04/2026

Ever heard about the Youth Friendship Bench and the Impact it is making?

22/04/2026

“What makes me happy is that ever since I started being a counsellor I have noticed the rate of deaths by su***de has greatly decreased…”

- Grandmother Bvunzani

What started as a simple community based initiative inspired by one client and driven by 14 Grandmothers, has now grown ...
14/04/2026

What started as a simple community based initiative inspired by one client and driven by 14 Grandmothers, has now grown into a proven model that has supported over 1 000 000 clients through more than 2000 lay health workers in Zimbabwe.

As we continue this journey, our vision and mission remain the same:
Vision - Having a Friendship Bench within walking distance for all
Mission- Getting people out of depression.

If ever you are in need of support, help is within reach. Send a 📲“Hi” to +263 784 845 294 to begin the booking process or to find a Friendship Bench near you simply visit 🔗www.friendshipbenchzimbabwe.org/find-a-friendship-bench.

Age has not seemed to stop Gogo Hwiza from informing people within her community of the importance of their mental healt...
08/04/2026

Age has not seemed to stop Gogo Hwiza from informing people within her community of the importance of their mental health in their day to day life.

At 96 years old she keeps working towards our vision of having a Friendship Bench within walking distance for all.

Happy World Health Day! 🌍This year’s theme “Together for Health”, reminds us of the power of community, that it is in th...
07/04/2026

Happy World Health Day! 🌍

This year’s theme “Together for Health”, reminds us of the power of community, that it is in the spaces where we listen, support and show up for one another that true wellbeing is nurtured.

At Friendship Bench Zimbabwe, we see daily how empathy and connection can transform lives and strengthen communities.

To access Free, Anonymous and Confidential talk therapy send a “Hi” to +263 784 845 294 to begin the booking process or visit www.friendshipbenchzimbabwe.org/find-a-friendship-bench to find a Friendship Bench near you.

02/04/2026

Prioritise your Mental Health this Easter!

Did you know? 💡 Since 2016, Friendship Bench Zimbabwe has supported 1,091,541 people through community-based mental hea...
23/03/2026

Did you know? 💡

Since 2016, Friendship Bench Zimbabwe has supported 1,091,541 people through community-based mental health care and 69% of those people reached are women…

This Women’s Month we recognize the strength of women who seek support, share their stories and continue to care for their families and communities. Their wellbeing is at the heart of a stronger and healthier community.

We are grateful to our partners, communities, and our dedicated lay health workers who make this work possible every day.
Together we are ensuring that there is a Friendship Bench within walking distance for women who hold our communities together. 💚

Every day we get to see how safe spaces, empathy and community support can restore hope and bring back joy into people’s...
20/03/2026

Every day we get to see how safe spaces, empathy and community support can restore hope and bring back joy into people’s lives.

Today we celebrate the power of human connection to heal and to uplift one another.... Happy International Day of Happiness!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting participants from Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Program 2026 cohort at ou...
13/03/2026

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting participants from Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Program 2026 cohort at our offices.We welcomed 30 emerging mental health leaders from across Africa for an informal exchange where our team shared insights on the Friendship Bench model, our work in community-based mental health care, and the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to integrate the programme into Zimbabwe’s public health system.

The visit also included an engaging Q&A session and a tour, offering participants an opportunity to understand how lay health workers deliver evidence based mental health support at primary care level.

We are encouraged to see growing leadership across the continent committed to closing the mental health treatment gap. 🌍

Strengthening sustainability through partnership. We conducted joint support and supervision visits with the national, p...
11/03/2026

Strengthening sustainability through partnership.

We conducted joint support and supervision visits with the national, provincial and district teams from the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Matabeleland South. This exercise is part of the ongoing process of transitioning and integrating the Friendship Bench programme into government systems, ensuring long-term delivery of community based mental health services.

08/03/2026

Today we celebrate the power of women’s leadership, compassion and resilience.

Happy International Women’s Day!


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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