Society Zurich municipal council wants to set up "friendship benches"
In future, anyone who wants to talk about problems should be able to sit on a "friendship bench" in the city of Zurich. A trained lay helper will then sit down and listen. The city parliament passed a corresponding postulate on Wednesday.
28.08.2024, 19:34
SDA
The municipal council referred the AL postulate to the city council by 69 votes in favor and 49 against. The council was prepared to accept the proposal anyway. "However, we are not exactly bursting with enthusiasm", said city councillor Andreas Hauri (GLP).
One should not expect too much from such benches. They would not solve the bottlenecks in psychological care. "But we will look into the matter."
Invention from Africa
The "friendship benches" were invented in Africa, specifically in Zimbabwe. Residents there can sit on such a bench when they need to talk. A lay helper, usually a grandmother, then sits down and lends a sympathetic ear. Friendship benches already exist in the USA too. There, they are placed on school grounds and are intended to encourage young people to talk.
The AL hopes to create a low-threshold offer for mental health problems with a Zurich version. David Garcia Nuñez (AL) said that the "How are you?" benches from Health Promotion Switzerland already exist. However, there was a problem with their implementation.
"These benches couldn't be more conspicuous. They are yellow like the Yellow Wägeli." They are usually exposed in the middle of a square and are not looked after.
"Sad benches"
The SVP and FDP were against the proposal. "We don't need these sad friendship benches," said Walter Anken (SVP). Everyone in this city has the power to reduce loneliness and psychological problems by taking time for each other and talking to people. The FDP also voted against. "I doubt that these benches will do much good," said Frank Rühli.
At the end of the debate, Council President Guy Krähenbühl (GLP), who works as a public prosecutor, pointed out that children should not be sent to these friendship benches alone. "Otherwise someone else will come along with a sugus."
