Who We Are

The Pathways to Resilience Trust is a charitable organisation established in Brisbane in August 2007 with the specific aim of spreading Professor Paula Barrett’s world-renowned Fun FRIENDS, FRIENDS for Life and My FRIENDS resilience programs without profit to assist in the prevention of anxiety, depression and youth suicide.

Anxiety is the most common form of mental health problem, affecting up to 20% of children and teenagers. Anxiety is distressing and debilitating, and without intervention, childhood anxiety is likely to lead to significant problems into adolescence and adulthood.  These include depression, substance abuse, and suicide, which is a leading cause of death in young Australians.

Anxiety prevents a child from reaching their full potential, having serious consequences for social and academic development.  Despite these statistics, only a tiny fraction of children with difficulties receive intervention.

The Pathways to Resilience Trust was set up in response to the recognisable need for all children to have access to social-emotional skills development and anxiety and depression prevention programs, particularly children in underprivileged communities.

The Pathways to Resilience Trust specifically targets schools and communities that are of low socioeconomic status; culturally and linguistically diverse background; Indigenous heritage; and rural and remote areas, especially those affected by drought.

One of our major activities is providing professional development training for teachers, health professionals and community members in the Fun FRIENDS, FRIENDS for Life, and My FRIENDS programs that will enable them to deliver these interventions within their schools and communities.

Additionally, we are currently working on providing on-line professional development training for teachers, health professionals and community members from eligible schools and communities in the FRIENDS program.