The Friendship Bench Initiative

09/02/2026

Whew, Mississippi is HOT, and these temperatures just keep climbing!

As the summer heat continues, our Friendship Bench volunteers have already begun visiting their sites less frequently. For the safety of our volunteers and the community members who may stop by seeking support, we have decided to pause our regular Friendship Bench sessions until October, when temperatures should begin to drop to a safer and more comfortable level.

The benches are still there. The resources are still available. And help is still just a call or text away.

If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health support, call or text 988 to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

We look forward to seeing our volunteers back at the benches this fall! Until then, please stay safe, stay cool, and take care of yourselves and one another.

04/22/2026

Your voice matters. Your story matters. 🪑✨

Join us SATURDAY, April 25th for "More Than A Bench" a community conversation about the Friendship Bench Initiative.

We're talking purpose, places, and people. 💬
Meet the facilitators and volunteers bringing this support to our community. Whether you're here to listen, share, or just sit and be heard. You belong here. 🤝

📍 Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System
314 7th St N, Columbus, MS 39701
⏰ Saturday, April 25th | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

🔓 Open to the Public
For more info: 662-329-5297 | Wil'Lani Turner

04/22/2026

Our Friendship Bench Informational was a MOVIE 🎬🔥 So much wisdom from the experts, real community conversations, and a whole lot of momentum 💬🤝

Missed it? Don’t be sad 😭 you’re still right on time.
Pull up this Saturday, April 25 at 2PM for More Than a Bench 🪑✨

We’re taking the conversation and turning it into ACTION 💪🏾✅
Come connect, learn what’s next, and be part of building something that lasts 🫶🏾🌱

04/20/2026

🎉 We’re celebrating something special at the library! 🎉

We are proud to share that we have officially graduated our first class of Friendship Bench Initiative Listeners! 💚 Each participant completed 10 hours of training led by Kenya L. Walker, MS, NCC, LPC, BC-TMH, equipping them with the skills to listen with empathy, support others, and help guide meaningful conversations in our community.

So… what is the Friendship Bench? The Friendship Bench Initiative began in Zimbabwe as a simple but powerful idea: create safe, welcoming spaces where people can sit, talk, and be heard. Originally launched in 2006, trained community members provided talk therapy on benches in local communities, helping people navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, and everyday stress through connection and conversation.

This model has grown into a global movement focused on breaking down barriers to mental health support by making it accessible, community-based, and rooted in human connection. And now, that work continues right here in our community.

Our newly trained listeners are part of that mission — offering a listening ear, fostering connection, and helping create a space where no one has to carry things alone.

💬 Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is simply to listen.

04/20/2026

Don't Miss this Coming Saturday! We are excited to bring such an opportunity to the Columbus - Lowndes Area!

Your voice matters. Your story matters. 🪑✨

Join us SATURDAY, April 25th for "More Than A Bench" a community conversation about the Friendship Bench Initiative.

We're talking purpose, places, and people. 💬
Meet the facilitators and volunteers bringing this support to our community. Whether you're here to listen, share, or just sit and be heard. You belong here. 🤝

📍 Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System
314 7th St N, Columbus, MS 39701
⏰ Saturday, April 25th | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

🔓 Open to the Public
For more info: 662-329-5297 | Wil'Lani Turner

04/17/2026

“I can see the episode coming.”

And in that moment, everything in me goes into protection mode.

If you’re parenting through mental health challenges, you’re not alone.

04/17/2026

Tomorrow at 2 PM, we're gathering for something real. 🧠✨

Mental Health 101: What Everyone Should Know is happening THIS SATURDAY, April 18th at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. This is your safe space to learn about emotional health, self-care, and practical strategies for managing stress led by five incredible facilitators who genuinely care.

Whether you're looking to feel more balanced, stay connected, or build mental strength, this workshop is for you. No judgment. No pressure. Just honest conversation about what matters.

📍 314 7th St N, Columbus, MS 39701
⏰ Saturday, April 18th | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📞 662-329-5297 for more information or contact us here!

Spots are available. This is a moment to invest in yourself and your community. See you there. 💙

04/15/2026

A place to sit. A place to be heard. A place to belong. 🌿

Saturday, April 25th, we're opening the doors to "More Than A Bench"

A safe, welcoming space where mental health matters and your voice is valued.
Hear directly from our community leaders and mental health professionals about what this initiative means, and why it exists for YOU:
• Quenae Johnson-Byrd, Therapist
• Lakevis Chandler, MSW
• Yvonne Robinson, MSN, APRN, FMHNP-BC
• Lucretia Glass, MS

📍 Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System | 314 7th St N
Saturday, April 25th | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Open to the Public | Free

Whether you're a student, professional, caregiver, or simply seeking connection, this is for you. Come as you are.
Questions?

Contact Wil'Lani Turner: 662-329-5297
Be bold. Show up. Your mental health matters. 💚

04/08/2026

7 questions to check on your people for real. 📝🤍

Swipe through, pick ONE question, and ask somebody today. Then actually pause and listen.....

The Friendship Bench Initiative is about making support feel normal, accessible, and human. One conversation at a time. 🪑✨
If this hit you, share it to your story and tag us, or comment “BENCH” and we’ll DM you how to get involved. 🤝📩