Friendship Bench

Present in over 10 countries. Our mission is to get people out of depression - globally. Guided by our values of Empathy and Connection, Anchored in Research.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

Grief can make the world feel unbearably heavy.

Healing doesn't happen overnight, but sometimes having someone sit with you and truly listen can change everything.

#FriendshipBench #MentalHealthForAll #Malawi

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

1 - 3 Dec | Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Step into an immersive, hands-on experience at the Friendship Bench Non-Conference 2026.
Learn how to build, adapt, and sustain community mental health using the Friendship Bench In A Box.

Spaces are limited.
https://t.co/nyTvAnmfol

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

"Maternal mental health is not a luxury around childbirth. It is the emotional foundation upon which families, communities and future generations are built."

- Dr. Esther Tumbare

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

We live in the most connected era in history. And yet, loneliness is growing.

At Friendship Bench, our trained community members sit with those who are struggling and offer a safe space to share their stories.

#FriendshipBench #MentalHealthForAll

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

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. 

#FriendshipBenchZimbabwe #MentalHealthForAll #FBImpact

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

#FBVF2026NonConference #FriendshipBenchGlobal

@DixonChibanda

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

Join us in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Dec 1 - 3, 2026) for our first-ever Non-Conference.

Real conversations.
Mental health care in low-resource settings.
Your opportunity to make it a reality to take home.

Limited spaces - express interest now:
https://t.co/nyTvAnmfol

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

It’s happening: 1–3 Dec 2026
Friendship Bench Non-Conference
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Want in? 

Sign up for early registration access (limited spaces):
 https://t.co/ZPSBsP74lR 

#FBVF2026NonConference #FriendshipBenchGlobal

@FBZimbabwe @DixonChibanda

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

This reflects our continued commitment to reimagining what accessible, community-driven mental health and wellbeing can look like. We look forward to sharing more from the Hub as it grows.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

Did you know that Friendship Bench is expanding beyond individual care to build a sustainable wellbeing ecosystem that supports both individual and collective wellbeing through @TheFBHub?

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

The Friendship Bench Hub is a community wellness centre dedicated to holistic wellbeing, offering programmes, workshops, support services, and research that strengthen resilience and build healthier communities.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

The FB In A Box toolkit is designed to adapt to different community needs and structures. Our expansion is backed by a growing body of over 150 peer-reviewed research publications conducted in diverse global contexts.
📷 Read more: https://t.co/cmMDALR9fN
#FriendshipBench

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

1/3What 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.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

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.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

1/3Happy 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.

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

Prioritise your Mental Health this Easter!

Click the link below to watch our featured segment on ZTN Prime - 🔗https://t.co/EfiSp43243

#FriendshipBenchZimbabwe #MentalHealthForAll #ZTN

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

What is the FB In A Box 📦 ❓

A toolkit designed to help you replicate the Friendship Bench model in your community.

Join the Friendship Bench movement: https://t.co/fOXdo17Ykx

#FriendshipBenchGlobal #FriendshipBench #MentalHealthForAll

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

1/3 A story of hope, resilience, and community support💚 

After going through depression, poverty and unimaginable challenges, one woman found support through a Friendship Bench Grandmother. What began as a simple conversation became…

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

1/3 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…

[Friendship Bench @friendshipbench]

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! 

#FriendshipBenchZimbabwe