Episode notes
In this deeply moving episode of Strategies for Living, Dr. David McMillian and Lauren Leon McMillian welcome psychiatrist and visionary author Dr. Dixon Chibanda to share the powerful story behind The Friendship Bench — a groundbreaking mental health movement born in Zimbabwe. Inspired by the wisdom and compassion of 14 grandmothers, Dr. Chibanda transformed a personal tragedy into a global model for community-based mental health care.
Discover how this simple yet profound approach—rooted in empathy, storytelling, and human connection—is addressing the loneliness epidemic, depression, and trauma in communities worldwide. Learn why grandmothers became the “gold standard” of care and how you, too, can start a Friendship Bench in your own community.
Whether you’re a mental health professional, ...
Keywords
strategies for livingcommunitymental healthMental Health Toolstraumamental health awarenessmental health strategiesglobal mental health crisistrauma recoverytherapeutic storytelling mental wellnessloneliness epidemicstory tellingDr. Dixon ChibandaThe Friendship Benchmental health care innovationpsychiatrycommunity healingstorytelling therapygrassroots psychiatrywisdom of eldersgrandmothershealing of grandmothers