FRIENDS for Life
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. To learn more about FRIENDS in BC, read the brochure, “FRIENDS For Life”, also available in French. If you're interested in learning more about the specific concepts, skills and techniques taught during the program, please read the Overview.
The FRIENDS program is sponsored by Child and Youth Mental Health Services within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, school districts and independent schools. FRIENDS is delivered by school professionals and addresses many of the prescribed learning outcomes in the Health and Career Education K-7 curriculum. FRIENDS is included as a Ministry of Education recommended learning resource and is listed in the Ministry’s Grade Collection list.
FRIENDS is entering into its sixth year of implementation. Our goal is to reach as many students as possible, to provide them with life skills that will help them cope with worries and stress, while reducing their risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
Current FRIENDS Programs available:
- FRIENDS 'Child' - grades 4 & 5 (also available in French)
- FRIENDS 'Youth' - grade 7
Training and Program Materials for BC school personnel (public and independent) supporting grades 4, 5 and 7 students are available to those who are committed to delivering FRIENDS in the classroom. To view the 2009-10 FRIENDS training schedule click here. Note: Trainings are added regularly, so please keep checking for the most up-to-date schedule.
FRIENDS Parent Training evening workshops are available to provide parents with the opportunity to become informed about the tools and life skills that their children are learning in the FRIENDS program. They also learn how best to support their children in using these skills. For more information about FRIENDS Parent Training, email: FRIENDS.Parent.Education@gmail.com
Each year parent training workshops are delivered to 15 communities throughout the province. The 2009-10 communities will be posted on this site by August 2009. If you are interested in hosting a FRIENDS parent workshop in your community, email FRIENDS.Parent.Education@gmail.com.
FRIENDS Program Contact Information: For more information about FRIENDS in BC schools or if your school or district is interested in hosting a training event, please email mcf.cymhfriends@gov.bc.ca
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