World Happiness Report Highlights Friendship Bench as a Leading Cost-Effective Mental Health Intervention
- Friendship Bench
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
PRESS RELEASE
April 8, 2025 – The latest World Happiness Report 2025 has recognized the Friendship Bench as one of the world's most impactful and cost-effective charities for improving happiness and well-being. The report, featuring analysis from the Happier Lives Institute, underscores the remarkable return on investment achieved by this community-based mental health program.
The World Happiness Report 2025 highlights that for every $1,000 donated to the Friendship Bench, an estimated 49 WELLBYs (well-being years) are generated. This translates to an exceptionally low cost per WELLBY of approximately $20.61, positioning the Friendship Bench as a leader in efficient mental health interventions, particularly in low-income countries.
The Friendship Bench model utilizes trained community health workers, often elderly women known as "grandmothers," who provide problem-solving therapy on designated benches within communities. This accessible and culturally sensitive approach has been rigorously studied, with research published in leading medical journals such as JAMA, demonstrating significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as decreased suicidal ideation among participants.
The Happier Lives Institute's analysis within the World Happiness Report emphasizes the significant impact achievable through focused mental health interventions in resource-constrained settings. The inclusion of the Friendship Bench as a prime example underscores the power of community-led initiatives in addressing the global mental health treatment gap.
"We are incredibly proud to see the Friendship Bench recognized by the World Happiness Report and the Happier Lives Institute for its impact and cost-effectiveness," said Dixon Chibanda, Friendship Bench Founder. "This acknowledgment validates the dedication of our community health workers and the transformative power of providing accessible mental health support. While our roots are in Zimbabwe, we are also inspired by the growing global interest in adapting this model."
The success of the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe has served as an inspiration for similar initiatives in numerous other countries, demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of this simple yet profound approach to fostering mental well-being.
Key Highlights from the World Happiness Report 2025:
Friendship Bench is identified as one of the most cost-effective charities for improving happiness.
For every $1,000 donated, the Friendship Bench generates an estimated 49 WELLBYs.
The cost per WELLBY is approximately $20.61.
The Happier Lives Institute's analysis within the report highlights the effectiveness of mental health interventions like the Friendship Bench.
The model's success is rooted in community-based, accessible mental health support delivered by trained community lay health workers.
About the Friendship Bench:
The Friendship Bench is a community-based mental health intervention that originated in Zimbabwe. It trains community health workers to deliver basic cognitive behavioral therapy with an emphasis on problem-solving therapy, behaviour activation, and activity scheduling. This evidence-based talk therapy is delivered on designated benches in accessible community settings. The program aims to bridge the mental health treatment gap and improve the well-being of individuals facing common mental health challenges.
About the World Happiness Report:
The World Happiness Report is a publication of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, powered by data from the Gallup World Poll and analysis from leading happiness experts. It ranks countries based on their happiness levels and explores various factors influencing global happiness and well-being.
About the Happier Lives Institute:
The Happier Lives Institute is a research organization dedicated to identifying and promoting the most effective ways to improve global well-being. Their analysis contributes to the World Happiness Report and aims to guide philanthropic efforts towards maximizing positive impact.
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Providence Jongwedzvuku
Head of Global Brand and Communications
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