WASHINGTON, DC — A new evaluation of Friendship Bench DC—an official adaptation of the Friendship Bench model developed in Zimbabwe and led by HelpAge USA—reveals that community-based, culturally grounded emotional support can lead to measurable improvements in mental health and help rebuild trust in care among those historically underserved or overlooked by traditional systems.
The evaluation, conducted by independent research firm NEAN Consulting LLC, shows that the Friendship Bench implementation in DC is not only highly accepted and deeply valued by participants, but also feasible, effective, and ready to scale. Visitors to the Bench reported improved mental health, stronger social connections, and greater comfort seeking emotional support. After meeting with a trained Friendship Bench DC Grandparent, Visitors’ depression scores dropped significantly, social connections were strengthened, and 90% said they now had someone to talk to about mental health.
“This evaluation shows what we believed from the start: healing doesn’t always require a clinic,” said Cindy Cox-Roman, President and CEO of HelpAge USA. “It requires connection. It requires trust. And it requires culturally grounded support that meets people where they are.”
HelpAge USA and partners presented the findings during a live webinar featuring HelpAge USA CEO Cindy Cox-Roman, Friendship Bench founder Dr. Dixon Chibanda, and Dr. Delia Houseal of NEAN Consulting, moderated by HelpAge USA board member Jennie Chin Hansen.
From Harare to Washington, DC
Friendship Bench DC is an official adaptation of the Friendship Bench model developed in Zimbabwe by psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Chibanda. Modified for the U.S. context, this HelpAge USA pilot program trains older people—called “Grandparents”—to provide free, confidential conversations on physical benches placed in schools, churches, senior wellness centers, and other safe community spaces, making mental health support accessible and familiar while reducing the stigma often associated with professional care.
In 2023, HelpAge USA partnered with Dr. Chibanda to launch a pilot adaptation in Washington, DC, which trained 19 Grandparents to offer empathetic listening and problem-solving support—helping people of all ages feel seen, heard, and understood.
“We are proud to bring the Friendship Bench model to Washington, DC, where the need for safe, trusted spaces to talk has never been greater,” said Cox-Roman. “This is about more than mental health—it’s about reclaiming community care and restoring intergenerational connection.”
Key Findings
- Cultural and Emotional Resonance: Visitors overwhelmingly described the Bench as a place of trust, cultural familiarity, and deep emotional safety. Conversations felt natural—“like talking to an auntie”—rather than clinical or diagnostic.
- Proven Feasibility: The model was easily implemented in schools, senior wellness centers, and housing communities across the District. Flexible scheduling and Grandparents’ relatable presence were key to its success.
- Tangible Impact: Participants reported decreased depression, improved emotional resilience, and strengthened relationships. Median depression scores dropped significantly, and the number of participants rating their mental health as “Very Good” or “Excellent” nearly doubled after participating.
- Restored Trust in Mental Health: For many, the Bench was their first positive experience with mental health support. After participating, 90% said they had someone to talk to about mental health, compared to just 40% before.
“She reminded me of my Aunt Sandra… her energy was warm and non-judgmental.”
“It was like a 1,000-ton weight lifted off me.”
“I realized I had to take care of myself. I matter too.”
Impact on the Grandparents: Healing Through Listening and Life Experience
The evaluation also found the program to be deeply meaningful for the Friendship Bench DC Grandparents themselves, who draw on their own experiences of grief, caregiving, and resilience.
“After retirement, I didn’t know what I was going to do. But then I found purpose in this program.”
“By helping others, I found healing too.”
What's Next: A Vision for Expansion
HelpAge USA plans to expand the program citywide in the year ahead, with a focus on Wards 7 and 8, where access to mental health care is especially limited. Recommendations from the evaluation include:
- Establishing more Bench locations in churches, schools, and community centers
- Investing in online scheduling and referral systems
- Recruiting more diverse volunteers, including men and bilingual Grandparents
- Strengthening connections to social services, housing support, and crisis care resources
“Let’s put a Bench in every ward,” one participant said. “People just want to be heard.”
About Friendship Bench DC
Friendship Bench DC is an official adaptation of the Friendship Bench model developed by psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Chibanda in Zimbabwe, led by HelpAge USA. Provided through community host partners, Friendship Bench DC offers a confidential, safe, and judgment-free space for people of all ages to talk through whatever they may be facing with a trained older person they can trust. To learn more or support the initiative, visit: www.helpageusa.org/friendshipbench.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Contact: Alex Garvey, Communications Manager
Email: agarvey@helpageusa.org
Phone: 202-709-8442
