- Fun Friends (Wednesday 2:00-3:30)

- Friends for Life (Thursday 4:00pm-5:30pm)

- My Friends Youth (Thursday 6:00pm-7:30pm)

Hurry! Spaces are strictly limited.

PM Key acknowledged that “more than anyone else, young people will determine the future shape and prosperity of New Zealand”, also recognising the sad reality that “one in five…young people will experience some form of mental health problem during the crucial time that they are transitioning to becoming an adult”.

The New Zealand Ministry of Education notes that the “New Zealand Government has concerns about addressing the growing evidence suggesting that anxiety and depression disorders are among the most common mental health problems affecting New Zealand adolescents.”

Indeed, Australian statistics report alarming similar youth mental illness trends, with suicide taking more Australian lives than all transport accidents combined.

Child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Paula Barrett regards times of transition, such as starting/leaving high school, dealing with family disruptions and developmental and physical changes as precarious and vulnerable times in an adolescents life. She applauds the New Zealand government on their initiative to actively prevent the onset of mental illness in youth. “What a great way to empower youth – with the skill of bouncing back from life’s many challenges”.

The New Zealand Ministry of Education has recognised that “FRIENDS is one of the few effective early intervention and prevention programmes for adolescents that can be used in school settings to prevent anxiety and depression through building resilience. In New Zealand we have identified the need for children and teachers to be taught the learnable skills of resiliency. The FRIENDS programme will support the New Zealand curriculum key competencies for learners; thinking, managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing and supports its vision statement for confident, connected actively involved life-long learners.”

This draws Australian educational practices into light and begs the question, ‘is enough being done to foster social and emotional health in Australian youth?’

Read more about the New Zealand Mental Health initiative here

and the least of the worst

Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894

Scottish Writer and Poet

A picture sent to Paula from Vittor in Brazil.

Today we celebrate the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. This years’ focus is on parents and families taking a stand together with school communities and recognising the important role everyone plays. Pathways applaud this initative and support wholeheartedly its mission – to ensure that all students have a fundamental right to learn in a safe, supportive environment and to be treated with respect.

Through the FRIENDS programs, children and adults learn social and emotional skills that build their resilience and empathy towards others. FRIENDS empowers individuals to develop empathy for one another, to form support groups and friendships that bring out the best in themselves and to work well in a team by understanding feelings both in themselves and others.

Our programs also deal with how to behave appropriately across a range of different social situations, teaching participant’s skills on being assertive and standing up for that which they believe in.

Every individual has the right to feel loved, supported and respected. Show your support today by visiting www.bullyingnoway.com.au

Research shows almost half of today’s kids don’t play every day. To encourage kids and parents to get outside and play more, the MILO team has launched the Play Movement. Let’s get together and make sure our kids play daily.

Read more here.

Watch Professor Paula Barrett’s interview on the Today Show.