VCE Supportive Friends Program

The Supportive Friends Program is based on current research which indicates that young people with personal concerns, worry, stress or depression are more likely to tell their friends rather than adults. Building on this research, a program has been created in which selected students are trained to know what to do and how to act when a peer confides in them.

The supportive friends are not counsellors. Instead they may act as a link to counsellors.

A one-day training workshop for selected senior students addresses the psychological dimensions of anxiety, depression, suicide, resilience, happiness and fulfilment. The training involves practical exercises that encourage interactive discussion and cooperative group learning activities.

Some Narrative Therapy externalisation techniques are employed in the workshop to help students identify problems more objectively and to assist friends to work on their own solutions for difficult situations. Externalising language allows a lighthearted approach to what is usually considered serious business.

For example, depression is externalised through a monkey. During the workshop, students develop their skills to create connections with and formulate new language for their supportive monkeys, thus empowering them to apply their new skills when supporting a friend in need.

What students have said about the program

“We learned how to recognise the warning signs of depression and suicide, how to cope with stress and how to approach friends in need.” (Year 11 student).

“We learned to get help from an adult when a situation is serious.” (Year 12 student).