Grandma therapy in Zimbabwe

Question 1

scepticism

Answer 1

attitude of doubting whether something is true or useful.

have you ever heard the expression ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’? Yes, I have. Doesn’t it mean that people often feel better after talking about their problems with someone?

Initially there was a lot of scepticism, a lot of resistance, particularly from colleagues who thought this was not evidence-based, and it wasn’t going to work. The whole idea of training grandmothers
At first, Dr Dixon Chibanda’s ideas were met with scepticism

Question 2

resistance

Answer 2

refusal to accept a change or new idea.

I mean, this has not been done anywhere else in the world so naturally there was resistance.

Grandma benches’ were a totally new idea, never seen before anywhere in the world and so his colleagues naturally felt some resistance -

The success of the project helped do away with – or remove – strong feelings of shame or disapproval felt by many people regarding mental health, known as stigma.

Question 3

apprehensive

Answer 3

feeling worried that something bad is going to happen.

Were you at all apprehensive? I was, to be quite honest.

‘Grandma benches’ were a totally new idea, never seen before anywhere in the world and so his colleagues naturally felt some resistance, Which left Dr Dixon Chibanda feeling a little apprehensive.

Fortunately, as it turned out, Dr Dixon Chibanda’s apprehensions were wrong. Grandmothers are highly respected in Zimbabwean society and as they started listening, people began opening up and telling their stories.

Question 4

do away with (something)

Answer 4

to remove it completely or put an end to it, (phrasal verb).

It works because it’s simple, it’s cheap and it’s run by communities, particularly grandmothers who are in essence a resource in African communities – you know, they are the custodians of local culture and wisdom – that’s why is works, and I guess, it does away with western concepts which remove the stigma that is normally associated with mental illness.

The success of the project helped do away with – or remove – strong feelings of shame or disapproval felt by many people regarding mental health, known as stigma.

Question 5

custodian

Answer 5

Someone with responsibility for taking care of something or trying to protect ideas or principles.

It works because it’s simple, it’s cheap and it’s run by communities, particularly grandmothers who are in essence a resource in African communities – you know, they are the custodians of local culture and wisdom – that’s why is works, and I guess, it does away with western concepts which remove the stigma that is normally associated with mental illness.

Question 6

stigma

Answer 6

strong feeling or shame or disapproval which most members of a community have towards something.

It works because it’s simple, it’s cheap and it’s run by communities, particularly grandmothers who are in essence a resource in African communities – you know, they are the custodians of local culture and wisdom – that’s why is works, and I guess, it does away with western concepts which remove the stigma that is normally associated with mental illness.

Dr Dixon Chibanda’s feelings of apprehension, proved false when his team of grandmother therapists were treated as custodians.