FRIENDS for Life
Anxiety
Prevention & Resiliency Program
What is the FRIENDS Program?
The FRIENDS program is a school-based early intervention and prevention program, proven to be effective in building resilience and reducing the risk of anxiety disorders in children. It teaches children how to cope with fears and worries and equips them with tools to help manage difficult situations, now and later in life. The FRIENDS program is funded and provincially coordinated by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and works in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, school districts, independent schools and First Nations Schools Association.
Delivery of FRIENDS in B.C. Classrooms
FRIENDS for Life is an evidence based curriculum, delivered by teachers/educators in grades 4, 5 (Child version) and 7 (Youth version) classrooms. Prior to implementation of FRIENDS in the classroom, a one-day FRIENDS certification training is required.
For more information about the B.C. FRIENDS for Life program, visit http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/mental_health/friends.htm
For more information about FRIENDS worldwide, visit www.friendsinfo.net
How is the F.O.R.C.E. Society involved with FRIENDS?
FRIENDS parent education is provincially coordinated by the F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health. FRIENDS Parent Training Workshops, as available, provide parents with the opportunity to become informed about the FRIENDS tools and life skills that their children are learning in the classroom. They also learn how best to support their children in using these skills. Other parent education resources will soon be available including the opportunity to view a virtual parent workshop, downloadable handouts for parents/caregivers and web-based modules that teach parents about specific FRIENDS program skills. We are planning for most of these resources to be available by December 2010. Coming in 2011, there will be videoconferencing opportunities for parents to connect with other parents who have worked through the FRIENDS program with their children and to share experiences with each other - parent to parent.