Responding to widespread mental health problems in Zimbabwe, Professor Dixon Chibanda took to unusual methods – training a team of grandmothers in creating safe spaces for people to talk. ‘Friendship Bench’ is a result of their teamwork – organised around culturally embedded concepts surrounding wellbeing and belonging. In this interview, ‘Friendship Bench’ share with me the full story and meaning behind their project, and what message they ultimately wish to spread.
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“Stigma is the thing that stops you from being open about your struggles. Rarely does anyone feel embarrassed telling someone that they broke their arm or caught a cold, but so few people will call into work sick because of their mental health…”
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“In my illness I always saw my life as finite. Everything was black and white. But now I see grey. I see that life has infinite possibilities and infinite paths.”
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Patrick A. Roland tells us his views on how fearful perspectives can be understood, and the conversation on mental health can be moved forwards.
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Often, you hear advice telling you to “just be yourself”. Why is it so hard? How can we just be ourselves?
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“One of the hardest lessons for me to come to terms with is that, I myself, cannot force anyone to seek help. I cannot make anyone want to get better…”
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“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott
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“1. People with mental illness, especially those with schizophrenia are violent and dangerous…”
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Quotes from interviews with mental health advocates
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“Stigma is when someone is afraid of me or afraid of a part of me because they don’t understand – or want to understand – it…”
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“I learned to practise self-care when my body was so run down that I was at the point of having a break down. I was told If I didn’t change and rest I would be back in hospital. That’s what did it for me. It was very hard to just stop…”
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“When the people in my life give me this space to talk and explain, I don’t feel the need to hide my mental illness”
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