The All Ears Friendship Bench Program is an evidence-based model adapted from the Friendship Bench Model developed by Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a Zimbabwean psychiatrist and director of the African Mental Health Research Initiative. He developed the program as a brief intervention delivered by lay workers – usually grandmothers – in accessible settings. At ASU, the program connects students with adult volunteers (“Bench Champions”) who provide compassionate listening through informal conversations on ASU’s four campus locations. Bench Champions complete training in active listening and campus resources, then serve at least one shift per month. Since its launch in 2024, the program has reached over 600 students and engaged 25 volunteers.