Friendship Benches Bring Mental Health to West Michigan | Grand Rapids News

In West Michigan, the Friendship Bench program is expanding to bring mental health support straight to the community—trained volunteers sit on benches in public spaces like libraries, offering nonjudgmental listening ears instead of advice. Inspired by a Zimbabwean psychiatrist who trained grandmothers to provide empathetic care, this grassroots initiative aims to combat isolation by meeting people where they are. Now active in the Tri-Cities and soon to launch in Holland and Zeeland, the program is being coordinated by the Momentum Center in Grand Haven, teaching volunteers how to listen deeply and recognize when someone needs more help. It’s about making mental health support feel approachable, accessible, and human. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/db0fda874603ba4a