School-based Universal Prevention for Anxiety and Depression in Sweden: A Cluster-randomized Trial

Mental illness is a major health problem in children and young people, and there is evidence that mental illness is increasing among young people in the population. More than 80 % of the cost to society of mental illness in children in Sweden is the cost of treatment and care. Anxiety and depression are the most common psychiatric problems in children and adolescents. In comparison with the treatment of mental disorders, there is relatively limited knowledge about prevention. There are at least two very important reasons to investigate further preventive interventions for anxiety and depression. (1) Only about 20% of children and adolescents with anxiety or depression use health services. (2) Some children stop treatment and almost 40% do still fulfill criteria for the disorder after treatment. FRIENDS for life is one of the most evaluated prevention programs internationally. The program has shown promising results in research. The overall aim of the present study is to evaluate FRIENDS for Life in Sweden.