STUDY: ‘Friendship Bench’ Chats Ease Symptoms Of Depression

Source: Pamela Moore / Getty

Here’s some good news when it comes to dealing with depression.  According to FOX News,

A heart-to-heart chat can be just what the doctor ordered. A new study published in the journal JAMA reveals a simple way to ease the symptoms of depression. The study took place in Zimbabwe, where trained lay medical workers known as “grandmothers” listened and offered support to low-income sufferers during weekly talks on the wooden benches that dot the grounds of clinics around Harare and other major cities. Researchers say participants showed significant improvement after six “problem-solving therapy” sessions. They were three times less likely to show depression symptoms, and four to five times less likely to experience anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Sounds very helpful!

[ione_media_gallery id=”3157741″ overlay=”true”]