In Zimbabwe, grandmothers trained as lay counselors are quietly changing the face of mental health care.
Where Help Doesn't Reach
Hard truths are often hidden in plain sight. In Zimbabwe, a boy like David can slip through the cracks long before anyone notices. When his parents could no longer pay his school fees, he was sent to live with distant relatives. There, emotional abuse replaced comfort. Daily chores replaced childhood. School was out of reach. Hope, too.
“I felt I had no worth or purpose for living,” "I felt my loneliness and despair grow by the day.” - David recalled.
He is not alone. Across sub-Saharan Africa, young people are struggling with depression, anxiety, and rising suicide rates. Many never speak up. Fewer still find help. But when David discovered the Friendship Bench, things began to shift. Created by psychiatrist Prof. Dixon Chibanda in 2006, the program trains grandmothers, known as Gogos, to serve as lay counselors. It’s simple, local, familiar, and effective.
This isn’t about replacing modern psychiatry. It’s about asking: can traditional healing and community wisdom offer. . .
Harness Knowledge for Impact
Every day, readers like you turn to Susinsight for a deeper understanding of the sustainable development challenges and opportunities in Africa.
Subscribe to any of our plans to unlock exclusive insights, in-depth articles, and resources that drive meaningful change.
Already a subscriber? Log in to continue reading.
