‘Friends for Life’ is a school-based anxiety prevention and resilience building programmes developed by Dr. Paula Barrett in Australia.

The World Health Organisation cites ‘Friends for Life’ as the only evidence-based programme for anxiety in children that is effective at all levels of intervention (WHO, 2004).

Friends programmes helps pupils to develop resilience by teaching them effective strategies to cope with, problem solve and manage all kinds of emotional distress, including worry, stress, change and anxiety.

Skills learned throughout the programme help students both now and in later life.

The programme can be run by teachers as a whole class programme, or as a small group intervention.