Friendship Bench DC Offers Unique Mental Health Support Through Community Engagement
Friendship Bench DC, an initiative by HelpAge USA, provides mental health support by having older adults, referred to as 'grandparents,' sit on benches throughout Washington, D.C., to listen to individuals in need of someone to talk to. This program, inspired by a model from Zimbabwe, aims to reduce mental health stigma and provide a safe space for sharing. Since its launch in June 2024, the program has conducted nearly 700 sessions, offering a peer-based approach to mental health intervention without cost or insurance requirements.