Finding mental health support can feel daunting, especially when you are already experiencing overwhelming feelings that can feel debilitating. Whether you’re feeling down, stressed, or just need someone to talk to, Friendship Bench DC is a welcoming space where you can feel heard—without judgment and pressure. Bread for the City’s Southeast Center, which is located at 1700 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington DC, is excited to be the latest location of a free, accessible friendship bench to book appointments for casual talk therapy.

The program is an official adaption by HelpAge USA of the Friendship Bench model created by psychiatrist Dr. Dixon Chibanda in Zimbabwe. The evidence-based program trains older people, known as “Grandparents,” to provide basic talk therapy to people of all ages on physical “Friendship Benches.” The benches are placed at host partner sites, such as Bread for the City, offering confidential support through problem solving and empathetic listening with the aim of addressing anxiety and depression.

Grandparents undergo three levels of training to ensure they are giving people who visit the bench the empathetic listening and problem-solving support they deserve. At the end of the training, Grandparents are evaluated, and, upon certification, begin to serve at host partner sites across DC. Before meeting with a Grandparent, Visitors are screened to determine if they need professional care; if not, a Friendship Bench DC session is scheduled. According to an independent research evaluation of Friendship Bench DC, the majority of visitors experienced a reduction in depressive symptom scores after meeting with a Friendship Bench DC Grandparent. In addition, 90% said they now had someone to talk to about their mental health, compared to just 40% before. This reflects the impact of holistic, community-rooted care.

There are so many barriers to accessing mental health support for Black and Brown communities, and Friendship Bench DC is breaking some of those barriers down. Friendship Benches are located in places you may already be frequenting, like houses of worship, schools, libraries, senior wellness centers, and non-profit organizations like Bread for the City. Host partners are located throughout DC, aiming to serve residents who are more likely to experience mental health disparities, including low-income and African American Washingtonians. Theresa is one of the Grandparents dedicating her time to be a listening ear on the bench. Recognizing the world can be a hard place, she wants people to know that it can also be a good place with people you can trust.

The Grandparents use de-medicalized terms to lower stigma and reduce barriers that may deter visitors from seeking support. The framework gives visitors an opportunity to look at an issue in another way and create an action plan they feel comfortable walking away with. Theresa doesn’t give her opinions or advice; she centers her sessions around empowering everyone to tell their own story, guiding them to find the power within to solve any problems they may be experiencing. It’s evident through conversation with Theresa that she cares deeply about what people are going through, maintaining eye contact and finding at least one thing to smile and laugh about during her one-hour sessions.

This is an exciting time for Bread for the City to welcome Friendship Bench DC to the Southeast Center! This provides DC residents with the chance to connect with another human being and an opportunity for people to be their own problem solvers, aligning with the values of Bread. The bench also empowers Grandparents and shows that their voices, experiences, and empathy matter, proving they have a place in their communities to help and inspire others. Theresa, who just celebrated one year as a Friendship Bench DC Grandparent, has become a more active listener in her personal relationships and brought other skills to her own life, learning to find joy and prioritize self-care. The Friendship Bench is always welcoming new voices, whether you’re seeking support, ready to listen as a Grandparent, or have a safe space to offer as a host partner site committed to community well-being.

To schedule a session with Friendship Bench at Bread for the City’s Southeast location, call 202-679-2939 or fill out the online form.