The FRIENDS Emotional Health Programme: Initial Findings from a School‐Based Project

TLDR

Emotional disorders are common in children, yet few receive specialist help despite effective interventions. The study examines the value of delivering standardized, evidence‑based programmes in schools by school nurses and highlights the need for further research. School nurses delivered the FRIENDS cognitive‑behaviour therapy programme to 106 non‑referred children aged 9–10 in three schools. After FRIENDS, anxiety decreased and self‑esteem increased, especially among children with the most severe emotional problems, while baseline levels were stable over six months.

Abstract

Emotional disorders in children are common and although effective interventions are available comparatively few receive specialist help. School nurses were trained to deliver an evidence-based emotional health cognitive behaviour therapy programme, FRIENDS, to 106 non-referred children aged 9-10 attending three schools. Levels of anxiety and self-esteem were stable in the 6-month period before FRIENDS. Three months after completing FRIENDS, anxiety had significantly decreased and self-esteem increased. Children with the most severe emotional problems benefited from the programme. The value of delivering standardised evidence based programmes in schools by school nurses is discussed and the need for further research highlighted.