Friendship Bench DC
Background and History
In the aftermath of COVID-19, the U.S. is facing a mental health crisis, and it’s hitting the Black community especially hard. Many are unable to afford help, face discrimination and institutionalized racism within the healthcare system, and struggle to find Black mental health providers.
A group of older people from historically Black neighborhoods in Washington, DC, saw an urgent need for mental health services in their communities. These older people had already come together to encourage loved ones to get vaccinated through a movement called DC Grandparents Against COVID-19. They felt empowered by their success and realized that they could be part of the solution.
Supported by HelpAge USA, they expanded their mission and name to DC Grandparents for Mental Health, a movement by adults 60+ years of age in Washington, DC, and set out to address the crisis impacting their friends and neighbors by piloting a proven model for delivering community-based mental health support: the Friendship Bench.
Further Reading
A Global-Local Partnership
Friendship Bench DC is a new initiative by HelpAge USA and DC Grandparents for Mental Health, inspired by psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Chibanda’s Friendship Bench model in Zimbabwe. Backed by over 100 scientific, peer-reviewed studies, this evidence-based program trains “grandmothers” to provide basic talk therapy to people of all ages on wooden “Friendship Benches” situated in safe spaces within communities, effectively addressing anxiety and depression. Since its launch, the Friendship Bench model has served more than 150,000 people and has been featured in many articles, as well as Dr. Dixon Chibanda’s TED Talk.
At HelpAge USA, we saw a match between the values of our DC Grandparents for Mental Health and the values that Friendship Bench Zimbabwe represents. The Friendship Bench approach puts power in the hands of the community — and in this case, hands that are wise, experienced, and ready to help.
HelpAge USA is part of a global network of organizations in 90 countries working with older people in low- to middle-income countries, and encouraging the sharing of learning and ideas across borders is a central piece of our work.
The faces of our DC grandparents
Friendship Bench DC in Action
Now, the Friendship Bench program has come to Washington, DC, with a focus on serving low-income individuals and African Americans in Wards 7 and 8—who have been historically marginalized and are more likely to experience mental health problems compared with other DC residents.
Working alongside the Friendship Bench Zimbabwe team, our group of older men and women, known as “grandparents,” have been trained and certified to serve on a Friendship Bench in DC, which are set up in safe community spaces for people of all ages to come visit and find a listening ear.
Our first bench has been launched at Washington Seniors Wellness Center and will be expanding to other host partners throughout 2024. Host partners are community organizations such as churches, schools, and wellness centers that want to provide a Friendship Bench for the people they serve, from youth to older adults.
Read more about Friendship Bench DC in the FAQs below.
Friendship Bench DC provides a way for people of all ages to confidentially share their story with an older person and know they will receive empathy, respect, and understanding. Friendship Benches are placed in safe community spaces throughout Washington, DC.
There is a mental health crisis among people of all ages and a lack of resources and other barriers to care. The older people behind the DC Grandparents for Mental Health and Friendship Bench DC want to stop the secrecy and stigma around mental health and help others feel less alone. By joining together, they know they can have a positive impact and be part of the solution.
Older people are custodians of wisdom and culture in our community. They are an untapped resource who can provide emotional support or simply a listening ear. Through Friendship Bench DC, older people can give others a sense of connection and personally gain a sense of purpose and fulfillment. The concept builds on the successful Friendship Bench model pioneered in Zimbabwe.
Grandparents participate in 10 weeks of evidence-based training from the Friendship Bench Zimbabwe team to learn how to effectively listen, empathize, and help people solve their own problems. Successful programs like the Friendship Bench show that laypeople can be trained to help prevent anxiety and depression from spiraling into something worse. A referral pathway is established for cases which are considered "red flags" where a higher level of care is needed.
HelpAge USA is piloting Friendship Bench DC in collaboration with a group called DC Grandparents for Mental Health. Previously, they joined together to successfully encourage COVID-19 vaccination through the HelpAge USA program called DC Grandparents Against COVID-19.
No, but you do need to be 60+ years of age. Many older people are like a grandparent to others and can play an influential role in their lives.
People of all ages, from younger to older, will be able to turn to the Friendship Bench DC to tell their story. Initially the focus will be on serving adults over 16 years of age, including older people who remain isolated or in need of support.
Are you having a tough time and would like someone to help you through it?
Everybody has a story. We're here to listen.
Provided through host partners, Friendship Bench DC offers a confidential, judgement-free, and safe place to talk through whatever you may be facing with someone you can trust.
Friendship Bench DC has just launched and will be expanding in DC with a focus on areas that are the most underserved in terms of access to mental health support.
All Friendship Bench DC sessions are free of charge and by appointment only. Sessions typically last for 45-60 minutes.
For more information, email us at friendshipbenchdc@gmail.com or call 202-709-8442.
About Problem-Solving Therapy
Through connection and empathy, our grandparents will guide you through a series of steps known as “problem-solving therapy.” These steps are designed to help you identify, define, and create achievable solutions to your problems, as well as help you feel more confident as a decision-maker who is equipped to handle future issues as they arise.
Problem-solving therapy (sometimes referred to as “structured problem-solving”) is a brief, evidence-based, cognitive–behavioral intervention used to help people cope with stressful life experiences, increase resilience, and improve people’s functioning in various areas of their lives, be it personal, professional, social, or self-directed development.
Meet the Grandparents
Our grandparents have been trained to listen and provide a non-judgmental space for people to talk through any issues they may be facing. Meet a few of our Friendship Bench DC grandparents and experts to learn more about the program and why they got involved.
