Does it work

Does this programme work?

Seasons for Growth originates and has been widely used in Australia and a number of overseas countries since 1996. It has been independently evaluated in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government and supervised by an Advisory Committee chaired by Emeritus Professor Beverly Raphael, a leading Australian authority in Mental Health Promotion and Prevention. The evaluation concluded that:

 Seasons for Growth has a strong, positive effect on young people.

 Parents, Companions, school principals and agency managers believe without exception that the programme is beneficial to participants.

 The participants said that the programme has removed their sense of isolation, allowed them to express their feelings without being ashamed of them and helped them to develop trust in others.

 Seasons for Growth contributes broadly to intervention against youth suicide in that it provides an early system of safety, opportunities for identification and referral, and lessening of vulnerability.

As a result, many said, they had been able to:

 Seek support, when necessary, from the Companion outside the formal processes of the programme.

 Form friendships and support networks with others in the programme.

 Communicate better with their parents or siblings.

 Understand that life moves on and that changes do happen.

 Cope better with their emotions.

How does Seasons for Growth work?

Some quotes from groups of young people in Scotland: (Copied with permission from their evaluation of the groups)

 "I made new friends" Shirley (7)

 "I learned that I am not the only person that has problems" Gill (14)

 "I learned they have been through something the same as me" Sam (13)

 "It helped to talk to people and write down my thoughts and feelings" Patrick (15)

 "I don't grieve about my Mum's death like I used to" Sean (13)

 "I learned I'm a good listener" Leeann (10)

 "I got friends and support from the group" Deborah (14)

 "I liked the stories and my book" Connor (6)

 "I always go to bed early on Wednesdays because it's Seasons on Thursdays" Neil (9)

 "From the Seasons group I gained confidence and help to talk. At first I felt embarrassed but at the end I feel a lot better" Stacey (16)

 "Listening and talking has helped me" Charlene (14)

 "I have learnt the skills to live with what I have been through" Stacey (15)

 "Everybody was supportive and it was great" Thomas (13)

Some quotes from parents:

 "Thank you for giving us our daughter back" (Ellie and Jim)

 "He's feeling happier because he's talking to other children who have similar ideas" (Colleen)

 "He liked Seasons because he knows he can talk about his Mum there" (Grandmother)

 "We have been able to talk about things at home more" (A Dad)

 "We have good days and bad days but we are learning to cope with them together" (Christine)

Some quotes from Companions who have implemented the programme:

 "It has helped the children deal better with conflict situations."

 "Attitudes have been much more positive."

 "She even walks differently now, from the child that used to hide in the corridors."

 "The youngest member comforted the oldest when their grief seemed just as ragged."

 "They used excellent peer support strategies."