Description
Project Zippy's Friends in the Czech Republic is aimed at prevention of mental disorders and their consequences (especially work with child and adolescent onset populations). project is based on implementation of an evaluated and established Norwegian methodology and training of teachers to strengthen mental health and prevention of risky behavior of children of primary school age. Within the project the methodology will be translated, materials printed, and three coaches who prepare 25 teachers of Elementary Schools for work with the methodology Zippy´s Friends trained. The project aims to increase the skills and competencies of pupils in the first grade of selected primary schools in the area of emotions, communication, self-esteem and social interactions, which will reduce the risk of mental illness and risk behavior of these children, especially in adolescence and adulthood. The main target group are 1st grade students from selected elementary schools and elementary school teachers. The donor project partner will provide knowledge and experience with implementation of the methodology. The Czech partner will provide regular consultancy and knowledge.
Summary of project results
Zippy'sFriends in the Czech Republic has been aimed at the prevention of psychiatric disorders and their consequences (especially when working with child‘ and adolescents‘ onset populations). The project aim has been fullfilled by a translation and implementation of the evaluated and well-established Zippy's Friends methodology and by a training of teachers, which was focused on the strengthening ofmental health and the prevention of risky behavior among children of primary school age. The project has increased the skills and competencies of the first grade pupils in the areas of emotions, communication, self-esteem and social interactions – the effect has been evaluated by the randomized-controlled study. We gained the Licence Agreement for 1 school year. The Norwegian partner’ organization trained 3 of our trainers. We have translated and printed a Czech version of all the Zippy’s Friends materials. We have trained 43 teachers in the Zippy’s Friends methodology – during the project they had been working with 532 children. The randomized/controlled study has been conducted to estimated its effectiveness. 1 Zippy’s Friends methodology (Zipyho kamarádi) accessible in Czech. 3 educated Czech trainers, who are able to train teachers and lead them methodically. 43 teachers were trained in the work with the Zippy’s Friend methodology. 532 children who have worked within the program – their social skills and coping strategies have significantly improved through this work (see the evaluation study).
Summary of bilateral results
A partnership with Voksne for Barn has been established. They have linked us with the owner of ZF licence – the Partnership for Children. The Norwegian partner also trained our trainers in the work with the Zippy’s Friends methodology in Oslo and leaded them – it was crutial for the project. The official partnership does not continue, but we share our experience in the field of children’mental health. Voksne for Barn is supposed to be one of the international guests at our mental health conference in Prague in spring 2018.