Mini-RISK: Accessible support for children experiencing anxiety

The preventive programme Mini-RISK aims to give children early support in managing anxiety and increase knowledge among teachers and parents. With support from Kavli Trust, the programme will be rolled out across all primary and lower secondary schools in Kristiansand, Southern Norway.

About the project

Mini-RISK is a Norwegian preventive programme developed by Sørlandet Hospital and the University of Agder. It aims to make evidence-based support for anxiety more accessible to children at an early stage, before their difficulties become more severe.

The programme is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and gives children and their parents knowledge and practical tools to help them manage anxiety and cope with situations they find difficult.

Mini-RISK is delivered through schools in group sessions led by school nurses and social educators who receive training in the programme. Children do not need a formal diagnosis to take part. Teachers and parents also gain greater knowledge of how they can support children in a positive and constructive way.

The project will be implemented across all 47 primary and lower secondary schools in Kristiansand municipality. The aim is to train around 100 group leaders and equip schools with the knowledge and tools they need to support pupils experiencing anxiety.

What will Kavli Trust funding support?

Kavli Trust has awarded NOK 2.04 million to support the implementation of Mini-RISK across Kristiansand's schools during 2022–2023. The funding will help train group leaders and ensure that the programme can be introduced in all of the municipality's schools.

The funding will also support a local coordinator who will work with the schools, recruit and provide guidance to group leaders, and act as a link between the schools, the municipality and the project team at Sørlandet Hospital.

About Mini-RISK

Mini-RISK was developed by psychologist and professor Åshild Tellefsen Håland at Sørlandet Hospital and the University of Agder. The programme builds on research and experience from RISK, a group-based treatment programme for children and young people with anxiety disorders delivered through Sørlandet Hospital's Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ABUP).

In a study of RISK, almost 90% of the young people no longer had an anxiety diagnosis one year after completing treatment. These encouraging results provide an important evidence base for the preventive work carried out through Mini-RISK.

In Mini-RISK, children practise facing situations they find difficult, while parents and schools learn how to support them. The groups are primarily led by school nurses and social educators who have received training in Mini-RISK.

Kristiansand municipality has committed to taking over responsibility for the programme's ongoing operation and development after the implementation period. The project is also intended to generate experience that may be useful to other municipalities looking to establish preventive mental health support for children and young people.

Mini-RISK aims to give children and young people better support in managing anxiety, while providing schools, parents and health services with a shared set of tools for addressing these challenges.