More information about FRIENDS can be found at http://www.friendsinfo.net/ca.htm.

Lynn Miller

“Prevention and Early Intervention of Anxiety Disorders in School Settings”

“Teachers are very keen to implement an anxiety prevention program, as they see first hand how anxiety interferes with a child’s success not only in academic performance, but also in ability to develop appropriate social relationships. Currently all school districts in British Columbia have access to the evidence-based curriculum, FRIENDS, in a collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Child and Family Development.  Future research will be necessary to modify the intervention to make it culturally sensitive and inviting to our diverse school population, including foreign language speakers and First Nations youth. A similar project is being evaluated in the adolescent population.”

Dr. Miller has long been interested in helping children be more successful in school settings, understanding that psychosocial stability enhances academic performance. She focuses her research on searching for ways to deliver mental health programs to school children and their families in school settings.  Currently she has several funded projects targeting the prevention and early intervention of anxiety disorders, using empirically supported approaches to child and adolescent anxiety.  Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern of children, adolescents and adults.  Anxiety management can be taught and people can learn effective skills using cognitive behavioral techniques.

This poster summarizes some of Dr. Miller’s research findings.