FRIENDS has been
specifically designed for use in schools as an anxiety prevention
program and resiliency building tool. Developed
in Australia, it is the only childhood anxiety prevention program
acknowledged by the World Health Organization for its 8 years of comprehensive
validation across several countries and languages.
Recently revised,
FRIENDS remains at the cutting edge of excellence. A wealth of research
and practical experience in thousands of classrooms since 1998 has
shown exposing anxious or depressed children to a complete 10-session
FRIENDS program is likely to significantly reduce their risk of developing
a disorder. Children with moderate or normal levels of worry also
benefit by acquiring resilience to emotional stress that can help
them for the rest of their lives.
FRIENDS is unique
in its outstanding record of achievement. Hundreds of Australian schools
have used the program and by the end of 2005 well over 100,000 children
will have completed a FRIENDS program worldwide.
FRIENDS does not
require specialist staff, but can simply be run by teachers in normal
class times. It does not involve any clinical assessment or diagnosis
and avoids labeling children as anxious or different. The program
is consistently described as a rewarding teaching experience that
encourages the sharing of positive emotions. Students also report
that they enjoy the program and find it helpful in their day-to-day
lives.
FRIENDS promotes
important self-development concepts such as self-esteem, problem-solving,
self-expression, and building positive relationships with peers and
adults and therefore fits in well with educational outcome learning
targets as set within state teaching curriculums.
To assist teachers
in meeting educational outcome targets, FRIENDS
Teacher Learning Outcome Sheets for the Children's version
(Primary School) are available as free downloads. These sheets provide
an overview of relevant educational outcomes associated with implementation
of the FRIENDS program
for selected Australian state education curriculums.
To further assist
teachers in integrating FRIENDS into their normal teaching year, a
FRIENDS Teacher Resource CD
for the Children's version of FRIENDS (Primary School) is available
for purchase. This CD contains 27 fun activities able to printed out
that teachers may use in any order or quantity to enhance the natural
educational aspects of FRIENDS and help build resiliency. The CD does
not form part of the clinical effectiveness of the program and so
is able to be used freely by teachers without training. The CD is
licensed to allow a school to purchase one copy for as many teachers
in that schools as they wish. A colourful FRIENDS
for Children classroom poster is also available for purchase.
To
assist in the setting up of a school-based FRIENDS program, a special
Parent information sheet
entitled FRIENDS in your School is available
as a free download. This sheet is able to be photocopied and freely
distributed to inform parents about the FRIENDS program and its use
in schools.
A
comprehensive Introduction
to FRIENDS booklet outlining the program, its history,
evidence base, theory, and the author, as well as background on anxiety
and depression is available as a free download.
Attendance at a one-day
FRIENDS Group Training workshop
is required to run the program in a school setting. These
workshops are conducted regularly in each Australian capital city.
Interested schools may purchase a sample of the FRIENDS materials
for evaluation prior to receiving training.
See below for further information on training.
Qualified clinical
psychologists and senior guidance personnel experienced in CBT may
use the FRIENDS program as a treatment protocol for individual client
work. For those who wish to have the additional option of running
the program in a group setting for either treatment or prevention,
including teachers and other health and educational
professionals, essential one-day group training programs are available
in your area by contacting Pathways
Health and Research Centre.
Pathways
Health and Research Centre, Queensland offers intensive one-day
training workshops throughout Australia, and overseas via approved
training partners. These one-day group training
programs equip participants with the knowledge to run FRIENDS
in a school or small group setting.
Topics covered
include:
• The characteristics,
aetiology, and prevalence of anxiety and depression.
• The Importance
of Early Intervention Prevention Programs.
• A
Step-by-Step Guide Through the FRIENDS Program.
• Hints
on Group Process and Effective Group Facilitation.
• How to
get the FRIENDS Program Up and Running in your Setting.
FRIENDS is made
up of two publications for each of two age levels — FRIENDS for
Children (ages 7–11), FRIENDS for Youth (ages 12–16). The
publications feature bright colour covers and have been professionally
designed and typeset for high readability and ease of use. Each child
requires a workbook and each teacher should have access to a Manual
when conducting a FRIENDS classroom session.
FRIENDS
Group Leader’s Manual
The
FRIENDS Group Leader’s Manual is an A4-size spiral-bound book
with complete session guides for all 10 participant sessions, 2 booster
sessions and 2 parent sessions. Designed for easy access and use,
the manual includes photocopy masters of all handouts and overheads.
Suggested scripts for group leaders are provided within each session
as well as ideas and points to note when conducting discussions.
FRIENDS
Workbook
The
FRIENDS Workbook is an A4-size, spine-stapled book able to be laid
flat on a desk for ease of writing. Featuring especially commissioned
cartoons and illustrations, the workbook encourages participants to
complete exercises that reinforce the concepts covered during each
session. Included also in the children’s workbook is a star reward
chart for completed home activities and a certificate to present to
each child at the completion of the program.
