What is available to you in Zimbabwe?
Disclaimer: These helplines are completely seperate from The Things We Carry - Zimbabwe, and we have no affiliation with them. While these resources are intended to support mental health in Zimbabwe, we acknowledge that access and reliability can vary. If you’ve had a positive or negative experience with any of these support lines, we welcome your insight to help us create an alternative!
You may come across the word “Kufungisisa”. This is a Shona word that translates to “thinking too much”. In Zimbabwe, it means far more than just overthinking. it is often used to describe deep emotional distress. Rather than using terms like “depression” or “anxiety”, people might say they are suffering from kufungisisa. It is a powerful reminder that mental health looks different across cultures, and that every way of expressing suffering is valid.
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Friendship Bench
Based in Harare but expanding. Friendship Bench offers community based mental health support. Mostly in person with trained “ambuya therapists”.
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Lifeline Zimbabwe
Helpline: +263 24 2707083 / 2707084 / 2707090
Based in Harare. Hours are limited, but offers counselling.
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ChildLine Zimbabwe
Free 24/7 call from TelOne landline: 116
For children or youth in distress
WhatsApp: +263 712 210 820
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Friendz project
This is not a helpline, but evidence that the mental health revolution in Zimbabwe is making progress. This initiative is backed by WHO and Dr. Nixon Chibanda (founder of Friendship Bench). They have invested $2.1 million to reach 1 million people in Zimbabwe!