An exciting new program helping young children deal with depression

Stride Foundation has been funded by the Mazda Foundation to help address the rising issue of childhood depression.  We have developed an innovate preventative program that is based upon the principles of our Supportive Friends program, it builds on Stride’ s experience of holistically addressing serious issues in schools. The project has been developed through consultation with children and teachers at a variety of primary schools.

Fantastic Friends works to identify and provide solutions for depression and other issues of concern increasingly being experienced by primary aged students. The program teaches primary and middle-years children to understand their own and other people’s feelings and to be empowered to know what kind of action they may take to alleviate a difficult or disturbing situation.  Through the program the students learn to identify what issues require adult support and how to support other students with issues to gain the support they need.

How the Childhood Depression program works
At its core, much of the program has strong visual and activity elements with which the children can identify. Through this activity based learning the students learn a variety of life skills that enable them to be aware of the concerns of others. It teaches them to support other students and feel empowered to take action in their lives as well as coping skills for when they may face difficulties.

About the training
Over the course of the one day workshop students are taken on a ‘journey’ that revolves around a combination of activity and self-reflection. While on their journey they will learn various skills including observation, communication, brainstorming, assertiveness and problem solving. They will be challenged to explore their feelings, think about concepts such as optimism and taking risks, the importance of supporting others and feeling empowered to take action in their own lives.

Using strong visual theme for activities and working through deep issues, the program is divided into three sections:

1.  Knowing others and ourselves - emphasizes the importance of valuing and knowing each other’s strengths so we are able to support each other in times of need.

2. Skills Training: Each student also undertakes skills training in the following areas:

• Observation (body language)
• Listening/questioning
• Brainstorming
• Assertiveness
• Problem solving.

3. Dealing with serious issues:
Students identify issues that concern them and affect their involvement in a ‘friendly ‘school and learn to determine what problems require ‘authority’ support and what issues that they can deal with. They learn how to apply the above skills in supporting other students to get the support they need.

The Fantastic Friends program will be up and running in Term 3.  If you are interested in finding out more or running Fantastic Friends in your schools please contact our training team (03) 9489 1611 or via email on office@stride.org.au.