FRIENDS Program

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/National-Educational-Psychological-Service-NEPS-/FRIENDS-Programmes.pdf

Initiative Description: A universal cognitive behavior therapy emotional health program, FRIENDS, was provided in schools by trained school nurses to 106 children aged 9/10. Over ten one hour sessions children learn a range of practical skills designed to help them identify their anxious feelings and to learn to control them; to identify unhelpful anxiety increasing thoughts and to replace them with more helpful thoughts; and how to face and overcome their problems and challenges

Study Results: Reduced anxiety & improved self-esteem.

Reference: Stallard P, Simpson N, Anderson S, Goddard M. (2008) The FRIENDS emotional health prevention programme: 12 month follow-up of a universal UK school based trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry.17(5),283-9.

Level of Evidence: Good