Hi, we're the

FRIENDSHIP BENCH TEAM

Carriers of connection and empathy. Driven by the belief that if we can create safe spaces in communities where people can find a sense of belonging, then we can change the lives of millions of people to enhance their mental wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

DIRECTORS

Prof. Dixon Chibanda

Friendship Bench

Founder & CEO

Martha Mashonganyika

Friendship Bench

Director of Finances

Lena Zamchiya

Friendship Bench

Director of Operations & Franchise

OPERATION LEADS

Nanzeni

Mudzengi

Friendship Bench

Administration

Ephraim Chiriseri

Friendship Bench

Monitoring & Evaluations

Manager

Chengetayi Nyamukapa

Friendship Bench

Country Scale Up

Coordinator

Jean Turner

Friendship Bench

Media & Communications

Manager

CORE TEAM

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS

Prof. Melanie Abas

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Ricardo Araya

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Martin Prince

Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry

Dr. Bradley Wagenaar

Acting Assistant Professor,

Global Health

Dr. Victoria Simms

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

frances-cowan n.jpg

Prof. Frances Cowan

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Helen Weiss

Professor of Epidemiology

Lorna Gibson

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology