Dixon Chibanda is one of 12 psychiatrists in Zimbabwe -- for a population of more than 16 million. Realizing that his country would never be able to scale traditional methods of treating those with mental health issues, Chibanda helped to develop a beautiful solution powered by a limitless resource: grandmothers. In this extraordinary, inspirational talk, learn more about the friendship bench program, which trains grandmothers in evidence-based talk therapy and brings care, and hope, to those in need.

Dixon Chibanda: Why I train grandmothers to treat depression

Why I train grandmothers to treat depression

In Zimbabwe, a unique approach leverages grandmothers and benches to combat depression, proving more effective than doctors.

Grandmother Jack's story exemplifies the human impact of Zimbabwe's Friendship Bench, transforming lives through empathy and listening.

Empowering grandmothers to offer talk therapy has bridged mental health service gaps, with over 30,000 helped in Zimbabwe last year.