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Key overview details
- Universal
- Targeted
- Promoting Emotional Wellbeing
- Anxiety / Worry / Stress
- Depression/Low Mood
- Emotion Regulation / Emotional literacy
- Self Esteem / Resilience
- Primary school: 6 to 12 years
- Adolescents: 13 to 18 years
- Show only programmes known to have been implemented in Scotland
My FRIENDS Youth
Summary
My FRIENDS Youth is a cognitive-behavioural intervention designed to build resilience, promote socio-emotional development, and decrease anxiety and depression in adolescents aged 12-15 years. This early intervention and prevention programme recognises the challenges faced in adolescence, so it equips adolescents with positive strategies to overcome challenges and promote positive self-development.
The manualised programme can be universally delivered in schools and health settings. It consists of 12 sessions, each session typically delivered weekly in 1-1.5 hours. Session activities include group discussions, interactive activities, and individual exercises. To bring structure to the sessions and help participants remember the topics, the acronym FRIENDS is used:
- Feelings
- Remember to relax
- I can try my best
- Encourage
- Nurture
- Don’t forget to be brave
- Stay happy
My FRIENDS Youth has been delivered in Scotland and across the UK.
Website: https://www.friendsresilience.org/
Core Components
My FRIENDS Youth programme (formerly called FRIENDS for Youth) is a cognitive-behavioural intervention designed to build resilience, promote socio-emotional development, and decrease anxiety and depression in adolescents aged 12-15 years. This early intervention and prevention programme recognises the challenges faced in adolescence. It therefore equips adolescents with positive strategies needed to overcome challenges, and promote self-regulation, confidence, self-esteem, positive communication and problem-solving skills.
To bring structure to the sessions and help participants remember the topics, the acronym FRIENDS is used: Feelings; Remember to relax; I can try my best; Encourage; Nurture; Don’t forget to be brave; Stay happy. These sessions therefore teach skills that help adolescents to manage their thoughts, emotions and body responses to stresses they face. Session topics include feelings and empathy, confidence, attention training, challenging negative thoughts, coping strategies, problem solving and building support teams. Activities conducted during these sessions include group discussions, interactive activities, and individual exercises.
My FRIENDS Youth manualised programme can be delivered in individualised and group format; in schools and health settings; by educators and health professionals. Programme delivery method is dependent on the setting in which the programme is delivered, and can be modified to suit the needs of the adolescents in the group. In schools, My FRIENDS Youth is integrated in the school curriculum. Students receive twelve consecutive structured sessions (10 programme sessions and 2 booster sessions), each session delivered weekly over 1-1.5 hours. Alternative formats of delivery include 2-2.5 hour sessions over 5 weeks; or 30-60 minutes sessions delivered twice a weekly, across two school terms. As part of the programme, parents are highly encouraged to attend two 2 hours psychoeducation and behavioural management evening sessions.
In the health setting, My FRIENDS Youth is delivered as a universal or targeted intervention, to small groups of 8-10 adolescents. They receive twelve consecutive structured sessions (10 programme sessions and 2 booster sessions), each session delivered weekly over 1-1.5 hours. Alternatively, it can be delivered over 5 consecutive days in 2.5 hour sessions. Family involvement in each session (10-15 minutes at the end of each group session) is recommended.
Targeted adolescents (identified as having clinical anxiety) can also receive My FRIENDS Youth in an individualised format. In this form, the mode of delivery is dependent on the specific needs of the adolescent. A whole family approach to delivering the individual programme is also highly recommended. Families (parents and siblings) are encouraged to be present in the final 30 minutes of each individual session. Whether delivered as a universal or targeted intervention, in group format or to individual participants, programme delivery must follow the structure and sequence specified in the programme manual. In addition, parents are highly encouraged to participate in the FRIENDS adult resilience programme.
Fidelity
Programme fidelity is ensured by implementation of the following measures;
- Practitioner training prior to programme delivery
- Ensuring programme delivery using sequence and structure specified in the programme manual
Modifiable Components
My FRIENDS Youth can be delivered in schools, health settings, or community centres. The mode of delivery of the FRIENDS programmes may be varied to suit the needs of the participants, as long as the structure and sequence of the sessions are maintained. For every activity, practitioners can add content and examples relevant to the cultural context of participants in the group. The facilitator manual allows for replacement of suggested activities with similar activities to suit the needs and strengths of adolescents in the group.
My FRIENDS Youth has been delivered in several countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, UK, USA and UAE. The programme is available in several languages including English, German, Spanish, and Dutch.
My FRIENDS Youth is one of the suite of FRIENDS programmes (Fun FRIENDS, FRIENDS for Life, My FRIENDS Youth and Adult Resilience) offered by FRIENDS Resilience. Implementation support in the UK for all FRIENDS programmes is provided as standard by FRIENDS resilience staff in Australia.
Support for Organisation / Practice
Implementation Support
Prior to training in a FRIENDS programme, the implementing organisation must become a licenced partner. Subsequently, FRIENDS resilience staff deliver training (online or face-to-face) to practitioners affiliated with the licensed partners. To support programme delivery, practitioners get access to FRIENDS Resilience Hub website. On the hub, practitioners receive; 1) information, for licence registration; 2) learning, including programme resources and facilitator accreditation; and 3) skills for skills delivery. FRIENDS resilience staff also provide organisations with support for programme data collection, storage, analyse and evaluation. FRIENDS resilience staff continue to provide weekly support to all practitioners (via GoToMeeting, Skype or phone) to promote staff development and long term programme sustainability.
Licence Requirements
A licence is required to deliver this programme. Licence agreements can be with individual schools, school clusters, health boards, local authorities or countries. Organisations can purchase small local licences, medium sized licences, or universal licences depending on the size of the organisation. Licences cover delivery of all four FRIENDS programmes, are valid for three years, and can be renewed.
Start-up Costs
Start-up costs include a licencing fee. This fee varies depending on the implementation plan chosen, the organisation’s size, and organisation’s overall reach. Licences cover practitioner training (online or face-to-face), accreditation, access to online resources (including electronic copies of practitioner manuals and adolescent/youth activity books), and community package (including resilience booklets for all ages and informational videos). Additional costs are incurred for printed participant workbooks, and practitioner manuals (which varies depending on quantities purchased). Electronic copies of manuals and activity books are received as complementary when hard copies of these resources are purchased. Train-the-trainer training is available, and is included in the licence fee.
Building Staff Competency
Qualifications Required
Two practitioners (i.e. primary facilitator and co-therapist) deliver My FRIENDS Youth programme to groups of participants. Both practitioners are required to have received the FRIENDS training before delivering the FRIENDS programmes. In health settings, My FRIENDS Youth is delivered by registered allied health professionals including occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers, and counsellors. In schools, the programme is delivered by educational professionals including teachers, teaching assistants, principals, school psychologists, and guidance counsellors.
Training Requirements
Practitioner participation in the Adult Resilience programme is mandatory and should be received as a prerequisite to receiving the My FRIENDS Youth training. Practitioner training prior to programme facilitation is required and is delivered in two stages; 1) Content training, a 4-6 hour online training that is compulsory for all practitioners. This training covers the sequence and structure of the programme, and foundation training (which includes programme theoretical and research background); 2) Process training, a 2-hour interactive web training that is complimentary to content training, and is a necessary component of the overall training. The training covers modes of delivery; use the electronic resources in an experiential manner; involving the community in meaningful ways; and measures to ensure long term programme sustainability. Content and process trainings can also be delivered face-to-face, with length of trainings dependent on arrangements made with implementing organisation.
Practitioners can only deliver the FRIENDS programme on which they have been trained. Completed training gives practitioners the certification to deliver FRIENDS in education or health service organisations. Practitioner certification is valid for three years and can be renewed after a 2hour refresher unit.
A train-the-trainer training is available. This 10- 12 hour online training covers FRIENDS content training, process training, all four FRIENDS programme training, psychoeducation and behavioural management. Trainers provide training and support to organisation(s) covered under the organisation’s licence agreement.
Supervision Requirements
There are no supervision requirements. Trainers provide continued implementation support.
Theory of Change
My FRIENDS Youth addresses the attachment, physiological, cognitive, and learning processes that interact in the development, experience and sustenance of anxiety. Therefore the programme teaches skills and techniques that are associated with the above processes, and have been applied in the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Primary school: 6 to 12 years - Rating: 4
Research Design & Number of Studies
The best evidence for My FRIENDS Youth in adolescents aged 12 years comes from one internally conducted study. This is a non-randomised controlled study that included 320 elementary and high school students in Australia (Barrett et al, 2003), 131 were elementary school students (aged 6-13 years), and 189 were high school students (aged 11-19 years). The students were of former-Yugoslavian, Chinese, and mixed-ethnic origins, and were recruited from English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes. The schools included were located in metropolitan areas within Australia.
Outcomes Achieved
Compared to the control group who did not receive the intervention during the study, the following outcomes were observed:
Child Outcomes
- Significantly increased self-esteem, significantly reduced anxiety levels, significantly reduced sense of hopelessness and significantly lower trauma symptom scores (at five levels including anxiety, depression, anger, post-traumatic stress, and dissociation at post assessment) (Barrett et al, 2003)
- Significant changes in self-esteem, anxiety levels and hopelessness maintained at 6 months follow-up (Barrett et al, 2003)
Key References
Barrett, P. M., Sonderegger, R., & Xenos, S. (2003). Using FRIENDS to combat anxiety and adjustment problems among young migrants to Australia: A national trial. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 8(2), 241–260
Adolescents: 13 to 18 years - Rating: 4
Research Design & Number of Studies
The best evidence for My FRIENDS Youth in adolescents aged 13-18 years comes from two internally conducted studies. One study was a cluster randomised controlled study (RCT) that included 737 majority Caucasian students from seven socioeconomically diverse schools in Australia (Lock and Barrett, 2003/ Barrett, Lock, & Farrell, 2005), 336 of the students were in grade 6 (aged 9-10 years), while 401 students were in grade 9 (aged 14-16 years). The second study was a non-randomised controlled study that included 320 elementary and high school students in Australia (Barrett et al, 2003), 131 were elementary school students (aged 6-13 years), and 189 were high school students (aged 11-19 years). The students were of former-Yugoslavian, Chinese, and mixed-ethnic origins, and were recruited from English-as-a-second language (ESL) classes. The schools included in both studies were located in metropolitan areas within Australia.
Outcomes Achieved
Compared to the control group who did not receive the intervention during the study, the following outcomes were observed;
Child Outcomes
- Significantly higher cognitive-behavioural problem solving strategies, and significantly reduced behavioural avoidance at post-assessment (Lock and Barrett, 2003)
- Significantly increased self-esteem, significantly reduced anxiety levels, significantly reduced sense of hopelessness and significantly lower trauma symptom scores (at five levels including anxiety, depression, anger, post-traumatic stress, and dissociation at post assessment (Barrett et al, 2003)
- Significant changes in self-esteem, anxiety levels and hopelessness maintained at 6 months follow-up (Barrett et al, 2003)
- Significant reduction in anxiety maintained at 12 months follow-up (Barrett, Lock, & Farrell, 2005).
Key References
Barrett, P.M., Lock, S. & Farrell, L.J. (2005). Developmental differences in universal preventive intervention for child anxiety. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 10(4), 539-555.
Lock, S., & Barrett, P. M. (2003). A longitudinal study of developmental differences in universal preventive intervention for child anxiety. Behaviour Change, 20(4), 183–199
Barrett, P. M., Sonderegger, R., & Xenos, S. (2003). Using FRIENDS to combat anxiety and adjustment problems among young migrants to Australia: A national trial. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 8(2), 241–260
Values
My FRIENDS Youth is a cognitive-behavioural programme designed to build resilience, promote socio-emotional development, and decrease anxiety and depression in adolescents aged 12-15 years. The intervention is for both universal and targeted delivery, in schools and health settings. All FRIENDS programmes take an approach that aims to promote mutual respect, self-care and interconnectedness.
- Does this approach align with the key values of your organisation?
Priorities
My FRIENDS Youth teaches positive coping and resilience skills to help adolescents deal with new challenges experienced by adolescents aged 12-15 years. The 12-sessions manualised programme can be delivered in schools and health settings. In schools, one session is delivered weekly to the classroom of students over 1-1.5 hours. The mode of delivery can be varied to suit the needs of the participants, as long as the structure and sequence of the sessions are maintained. Parents are highly encouraged to attend two 2 hours psychoeducation and behavioural management evening sessions. In health settings, each of the 12 sessions can be delivered weekly over 1-1.5 hours, or over 5 consecutive days in 2-2.5 hour sessions. Family involvement at the health setting sessions is encouraged.
- Is building positive coping and resilience skills in adolescence aged 12-15 years a priority for your organisation?
- In what setting is your organisation looking to deliver this programme? Would a home visiting programme, or telehealth programme suit better?
- Is your organisation looking to deliver an intervention that also consists of a parent component?
- What mode of programme delivery would be adopted?
Existing Initiatives
- Does your organisation have existing emotional resilience programmes that teach adolescents the techniques to manage challenging situations and experiences?
- Are there components addressed by My FRIENDS Youth that are not met by existing programmes?
- Are the existing initiatives effective? Do they fit your current and anticipated future requirements?
- Can existing initiatives be delivered to adolescents aged 12-15 years?
- Do existing initiatives have the delivery flexibility to suit participants’ needs?
Workforce
Two trained facilitators are required to deliver the programme. Facilitator training prior to programme delivery is required and can be completed online in 6-8 hours. In health settings, My FRIENDS Youth is delivered by registered allied health professionals including occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, social workers, and counsellors. In schools, My FRIENDS Youth is delivered by educational professionals including teachers, teaching assistants, principals, school psychologists, and guidance counsellors. Train the trainer training is available, and can be completed online in about 10-12 hours.
- Do you have practitioners with required qualifications and skills, who are able to deliver this programme within the chosen setting?
- Can your organisation support the time commitment required for practitioner /trainer training and delivery?
Technology Support
Practitioner training can be received online on the FRIENDS hub website under a License. This website also provides access to programme resources and digital materials to support programme delivery.
- Does your organisation have the technology to allow access to the hub website (e.g. computer/ tablet, internet access)?
Administrative Support
My FRIENDS Youth is delivered in schools and health settings. Parents are highly encouraged to participate in the FRIENDS adult resilience programme. Parents are also encouraged to attend the evening sessions when delivered in schools; and attend the end of the sessions when the programme is delivered in health settings.
- Does your organisation have administrative capacity and systems for programme delivery in the setting of choice?
- If delivered in schools, is there capacity to integrate this programme in the school curriculum?
- Can your organisation support parent evening sessions?
- If delivered in the health settings, is there a venue where programme sessions can be held?
- Can family involvement in these sessions be supported?
- Does your organisation have the capacity to support the delivery of the adult resilience programme to parents?
Financial Support
Start-up costs include licence fee. This fee varies depending on the implementation plan chosen, the organisation’s size, and organisation’s overall reach. Other costs include hard copies of programme materials, which vary depending on quantities purchased.
Comparable Population
My FRIENDS Youth is an early intervention and prevention programme for adolescents aged 12-15 years. Evidence of effectiveness comes from elementary and high school students that attended schools in metropolitan areas within Australia. Students recruited were mainly Caucasian, while students in the second study were of Yugoslavian, Chinese, and mixed-ethnic origins.
- Is this comparable to the population your organisation would like to serve?
Desired Outcome
My FRIENDS Youth is a cognitive-behavioural intervention, delivered to adolescents aged 12-15 years to build resilience, promote socio-emotional development, as well as reduce anxiety and depression. Programme delivery is associated with significant improvements across several outcomes including reduced anxiety symptoms, reduced sense of hopelessness, lower trauma symptom scores, increased self-esteem, and improved cognitive-behavioural problem solving strategies.
- Is building resilience in adolescents a priority outcome for your organisation?
- Is promoting socio-emotional development, as well as reducing anxiety and depression a current priority for your organisation?
- Does your organisation have other initiatives in place that effectively and efficiency address the above outcomes?