BY NYASHA PILOTO

The socio-economic problems that have taken multiple seats in almost every Zimbabwean household have brought anxiety, worry, and depression as guests. The economic, emotional and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with the struggles the nation had been facing prior, has paved the way to unconventional therapy methods available to each citizen in the form of bench-talk therapy.

‘Kufungisa’ is the local Shona term for ‘overthinking.’ Overthinking may lead to comprises in mental wellness in the form of anxiety and depression, just to name a couple. Generally speaking, mental wellness is not a cultural topic that is discussed over lunch, in the workplaces, household or in any space for that matter. It is therefore not a surprise that individuals suffer silently in the fear of being ridiculed for having reached out for help. Such an unfortunate commonality generally leads to suicide, self-isolation, severe mental illness, in general a nation that sees no hope in sight.

Therapy on a bench was introduced by Dixon Chibanda in 2006, as a game-changing solution to mental health concerns and stigma. It is a free service where Zimbabweans sit outside under trees on benches and interact with clinically-health trained grandmothers to navigate root problems and the solutions. Grandmothers are respected figures in Zimbabwe because of the gained wisdom, refined maternal care and intuitive problem spotting and solving abilities. Merging these natural abilities with health-care training seemed fit for this particular culturally-targeted talk therapy approach.  The services also explicitly state that the talk-therapy must not be substituted for professional intervention.

A few have argued that such a strategy is a risk because qualified psychiatrists and psychologists are the ‘accepted’ figures to tackle such concerns. However, this communal healthcare strategy is based on intense medical and psychological research and is packaged as well as delivered in a culturally relevant and specific manner.

When one approaches the services, a Shona Symptom Questionnaire is filled in to identify concerns and for intervention guidance for the caregivers. Talk-therapy sessions begin in a judgement-free, culturally-aligned and open-minded space. One then joins a support group called ‘Circle Kubatana Tose’ which means ‘hand holding.’  It is in these support groups that ongoing discussions continue to break down stigmas attached to mental health in the communities. This holistic approach to mental health progresses to economic sustainability where members engage in craft-making, which results in products being sold to the communities. This initiative called Friendship Bench Zimbabwe reports that 700 health workers have been trained and 65,000 clients are cared for on the benches.

The benches also take form online where one can get help at the click of a button. At the other end of the device is a person available to assess and talk, regardless of geographical area. Friendship Bench Zimbabwe also encourages each one of us to be a bench for those who need a resting place. This can be in the form of listening, being empathetic, non-judgemental, observant in case you need to call for professional intervention. Just knowing that a person is willing to be there makes a difference in ways you may never know.