In 2006, Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, was ordered by the government to deal with the severe mental health crisis afflicting the nation. However, there was literally a handful of psychiatrists in the entire country, which meant searching for a solution beyond conventional medicine. That forced him to consider grandmothers (Gogos) as his only option. Starting with a group of 14 Gogos, he began training them in cognitive therapy to treat depression on public benches.
By creating a narrative tapestry through the stories of the Gogos and the lives of their clients, the film explores Dr. Dixon’s visionary initiative of establishing a Friendship Bench within communities everywhere. His initiative has since expanded throughout Zimbabwe into neighboring countries and beyond to communities all over the world.
Awards
Encounters Refinery – Best Edited Film Award
Sotambe Zambia – Best Film In Southern Africa
McNulty Foundation 2023
Sydney Q&A
Following the screening there will be a Q&A that will discuss the potential for a Friendship Bench program to operate in NSW, with a particular focus on supporting people who are involved with the criminal justice system who have mental health conditions
Hosted by: Dr Bernard Ripperger, Assistant Commissioner Community Corrections, Correctional Services NSW
Guest speakers:
- John Feneley – inaugural NSW Mental Health Commissioner (from August 2012 – August 2017) and former Deputy President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal
- Dr Andrew Ellis, NSW Clinical Director, Forensic Mental Health and Associate Professor with UNSW Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Mental Health Program.
- Jennifer Galouzis, Assistant Commissioner Strategy and Policy, Corrective Services NSW, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
