In recent years, community-based mental health initiatives have gained momentum as effective, accessible alternatives to traditional mental health services. These grassroots programs are designed to meet people where they are — in their neighbourhoods, communities, and everyday environments — offering emotional support, early intervention, and practical care, especially in areas where mental health services may be limited or overburdened.
Community-based mental health support plays a vital role in making care more accessible, inclusive, and culturally relevant. By offering services directly within local neighbourhoods people are more likely to seek help early, reduce stigma, and feel supported in familiar environments.
These programs fill critical gaps where clinical services may be limited, especially for vulnerable groups such as young people, culturally diverse communities, and low-income families. They also foster stronger community networks, promote mental health education, and create sustainable, long-term change at the local level.
The Friendship Bench: A Global Model for Accessible Support
Originating in Zimbabwe in 2006, the Friendship Bench was developed by Professor Dixon Chibanda to provide support for common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It uses a simple concept: trained lay counsellors (often older women known as “community grandmothers”) offer problem-solving therapy on park benches in local areas.
The program has seen significant success. A 2016 study published in JAMA found that individuals receiving therapy through the Friendship Bench had a 55% greater chance of recovery from depression than those receiving standard care (Chibanda et al., 2016).
Recently, the model has been adapted for use in the UK, including a pilot program in Sussex, which places “benches” in indoor spaces like libraries, staffed by trained lay counsellors. As of 2025, early findings show strong reductions in depression, anxiety, and social isolation. (The Guardian, 2025).
The Green String Network and the Applied Community Mental Health Certification
The Green String Network has introduced the Applied Community Mental Health Certification, aimed at building local capacity through training in trauma-informed, culturally appropriate mental health care. This program empowers community leaders, educators, and volunteers to become frontline mental health supporters.
By embedding skills within the community, the certification promotes long-term sustainability and community resilience. It aligns with global movements advocating for decentralised, community-led mental health care, particularly in post-conflict or under-resourced settings.
Why Community-Based Mental Health Support Matters
✅ It’s Accessible
Many individuals, especially in rural or marginalised areas, face barriers such as long wait times, cost, or stigma. Community-based programs offer free or low-cost support, often without the need for formal diagnoses.
✅ It’s Culturally Sensitive
When support is offered by someone from the same cultural or local background, trust is more easily built, and stigma around seeking help is often reduced.
✅ It Promotes Early Intervention
These programs often detect distress before it becomes a crisis, creating natural entry points into care for those who may never seek traditional services.
✅ It Builds Community Resilience
Training everyday people to provide mental health first aid helps create a culture of care, where mental health is treated as part of overall wellbeing.
The Role of Services Like Vision Counselling
At Vision Counselling, we recognise the importance of combining professional mental health care with community-led initiatives. For over a decade, we have proudly delivered the Stirling Support Program — a free counselling service for residents in the City of Stirling, focused on supporting mental health, family wellbeing, and social connection.
Our work continues to complement broader community-based efforts through:
- Individual counselling for anxiety, depression, and trauma
- Relationship counselling for couples and families
- NDIS counselling and support
- Community outreach and partnerships with local government, community organisations, and support agencies
If you or your organisation would like to collaborate on a community-based mental health initiative in Perth or WA, we’d love to connect. Together, we can continue building safe, accessible, and empowering mental health support systems for all.
References
- Chibanda, D. et al. (2016). Effect of a Primary Care–Based Psychological Intervention on Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders in Zimbabwe. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2582235
- The Guardian (2025). Can a Park Bench Change Someone’s Life?. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/08/friendship-benches-mental-health-support-sussex
- Green String Network. (2025). Applied Community Mental Health Certification. https://www.green-string.org/programs/applied-community-mental-health
- Friendship Bench Zimbabwe. https://www.friendshipbenchzimbabwe.org
