FRIENDS for Life

Prospective users

Aims & approach

FRIENDS for Life is designed to build resilience, enhance social and emotional skills, and develop coping strategies for children aged 8 to 9. It is part of the FRIENDS Resilience suite, which fosters a shared language of resilience across school and home environments, supporting lasting positive mental health from early childhood through adulthood.

The program uses evidence-based cognitive-behavioural techniques to promote positive mental health, reduce anxiety, and equip students with tools to effectively manage everyday challenges.

Desired Outcomes

The program's outcomes include improved emotional regulation, increased self-confidence, and stronger social skills. FRIENDS for Life prepares students to approach life's challenges with resilience, such as managing friendships, school transitions, and learning to focus on effort rather than outcomes.

Structured Implementation

Using the FRIENDS acronym, Facilitators follow the FRIENDS curriculum sequence to support effective skill development:

• F - Feelings: Recognising emotions through being aware of body cues.
• R - Relax: Practising relaxation techniques to manage intense emotions.
• I - I Can Try My Best: Replacing negative self-talk with positive self-talk to build confidence.
• E - Explore Step Plans: Applying step plans and problem-solving to set realistic goals and overcome challenges.
• N - Now Rewards: Learning to acknowledge and celebrate efforts and successes.
• D - Do It Daily: Integrating skills into daily routines.
• S - Support Networks: Encouraging students to seek help from trusted and supportive people when needed.

Program Duration and Format

FRIENDS for Life includes 12 sessions, each approximately one hour in length. Ten sessions are usually held weekly, with two booster sessions spaced a month apart. Delivery duration is flexible, such as splitting into two half-hour sessions per week, as long as all sessions follow the correct sequence. The program combines interactive activities, discussions, practical exercises, and home-based tasks.

Requirements to Deliver the Program

Allied health and educational professionals can deliver FRIENDS for Life after completing self-paced online training. The training includes modules on theoretical frameworks, content structure, and adherence to the program sequence for effective delivery.

After completing the training and passing a short reflective quiz, facilitators receive a certificate and access to essential resources, including eBooks, manuals, posters, videos, and suggested stories. These supplementary materials support program preparation and help ensure a high-quality learning experience.

Each student requires their own activity book to support personal engagement and practical skill application.

Parents or caregivers are encouraged to reinforce FRIENDS skills at home, creating a comprehensive approach to resilience building. Parent sessions offered before and during the student program introduce parents to FRIENDS techniques, enabling them to support skill application beyond the school environment. Parents are encouraged to model these skills, fostering a supportive environment for ongoing practice.

Implementation support

• Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor
• Implementation training webinars or modules
• Ongoing helpdesk, email or phone support
• Regular webinars or access to community of professional practice

Evidence

FRIENDS for Life designed based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, emphasising the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to enhance emotional wellbeing.

• Cognitive Restructuring: Students learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts, transforming them into positive and helpful perspectives to enhance self-esteem and confidence.
• Emotion Regulation: Techniques for recognising and managing emotions are taught, allowing students to respond to feelings in a constructive manner.
• Behavioural Activation: By teaching relaxation strategies, students learn to handle challenges and difficult emotions in a constructive way.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Students develop structured approaches to tackle challenges, breaking them into manageable steps and exploring various coping strategies.

FRIENDS for Life is also built around CASEL's five core social and emotional competencies:

• Self-Awareness: Students learn to recognise their strengths and emotions, building confidence and purpose through positive self-talk and goal-setting activities.
• Social Awareness: Through team-building and empathy exercises, students appreciate differences, learn from role models, and understand support networks.
• Self-Management: Techniques like relaxation and attention control equip students to manage emotions, stay calm, and handle stress effectively.
• Relationship Skills: Group activities foster communication, teamwork, and help-seeking behaviours, helping students build and maintain healthy relationships.
• Responsible Decision-Making: Problem-solving exercises teach students to evaluate options and choose responsible actions, fostering accountability and resilience.

Recent peer reviewed articles:

Fisak et al. (2023). The effectiveness of the FRIENDS programs for children and adolescents: a meta-analytic review. Mental Health and Prevention, 30, 200271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhp.2023.200271

Schwartz-Mette et al. (2024). A School-Based Evaluation of the FRIENDS Resilience Programs: Implications for Mental Health Concerns in Rural Students. School Mental Health : A Multidisciplinary Research and Practice Journal, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-024-09682-6