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Table 1 Outline of 'FRIENDS for Life' (based on Barrett and Pahl [28])

From: Study design of 'FRIENDS for Life': process and effect evaluation of an indicated school-based prevention programme for childhood anxiety and depression

Session Number

Content of Session - Major Learning Objectives

Session 1

Rapport building and introduction of group participants

Establishing group guidelines

Normalisation of anxiety and individual differences in anxiety reactions

Session 2

Psycho-education regarding identification of various emotions

Introduce the relationship between thoughts and feelings

Session 3

F: Feelings (Identifying body signs of anxiety)

R: Remember to relax. Have a quiet time. (Relaxation activities and identification of pleasant or distracting activities to do when feeling worried or sad)

Session 4

I: I can do it! I can try my best! (Identifying self-talk, introducing helpful green thoughts and unhelpful red thoughts)

Session 5

Attention training (looking for positive aspects in difficult situations)

Challenging unhelpful red thoughts

E: Explore solutions and Coping Step Plans (introducing coping step plans/graded exposure to fear hierarchies, setting goals and breaking problems into small steps)

Session 6

Problem-solving skills (6-Stage Problem-Solving Plan)

Coping Role models

Social support plans

Session 7

N: Now reward yourself! You've done your best!

Session 8

D: Don't forget to practise (practising the FRIENDS skills)

S: Smile! Stay calm for life! (Reflect on ways to cope in difficult situations)

Session 9

Generalising skills of FRIENDS to various difficult situations

Teaching others how to use the FRIENDS coping skills

Session 10

Skills for maintenance of the FRIENDS strategies

Preparing for minor set-backs that may occur

Booster 1

Review of FRIENDS strategies and preparing for future challenges

Booster 2*

Review of FRIENDS strategies and preparing for future challenges

  1. * This session is not implemented in the present study (see Methods)