Researchers at Reykjavík University are leading an ambitious new project to support children with anxiety disorders through an innovative digital treatment solution called FLIKK. The project is headed by Brynjar Halldórsson, Associate Professor of Psychology; Anna Sigríður Ísleifdóttir, Professor of Computer Science; and Hafrún Kristjánsdóttir, Professor and Head of the Department of Sport Science.

FLIKK provides early and accessible support for children with anxiety and their parents, aiming to shorten waiting times and reduce costs for the healthcare system. The project received a significant grant from Iceland’s Ministry of Health, which has been instrumental in its launch. Studies show that up to 80% of participating children experience recovery through the programme.

Digital Support for Parents

FLIKK is an online therapy programme based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It offers parents guided support from psychologists, helping them learn effective strategies to manage their child’s anxiety.

We trust parents to take the lead, as they know their children best. FLIKK provides families with the flexibility to access treatment materials at their convenience, making participation easier in today’s busy world. The key point is that parents want to learn effective methods. We know that in 50% of cases, anxiety problems begin before the age of 12, and in far too many cases, people don’t receive a diagnosis until many years later and then often face long waiting times for treatment. We need to address these issues much earlier. Anxiety is often most disruptive among young adults (18-30), the time when people are making life-changing decisions. By that point, the anxiety has often become so severe that it significantly hinders their lives, and it would have been extremely helpful to intervene much earlier. I see this time and again in my work, for example, in the psychiatric department at Landspítali (the National University Hospital of Iceland), where I currently treat adults suffering from severe anxiety disorders

Says Brynjar.

Iceland Ready for Digital Health Solutions

Developed through a co-design process involving users from the start, FLIKK represents a new generation of user-centred digital health technology.

We won’t solve the issue of shortage in healthcare without smart, innovative digital tools. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and Iceland is clearly ready for this step toward digital health technology.

Says Anna Sigríður.

FLIKK also helps psychologists save valuable time by automating session notes and administrative work, allowing them to focus more on therapy.

Built on Proven UK Model

FLIKK is based on the Online Support and Intervention for Child Anxiety (OSI) programme, developed at the University of Oxford and implemented by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The programme is the result of research by Professor Cathy Creswell, an expert in child and adolescent psychology.

Brynjar has worked closely with Professor Creswell for over a decade to improve access to effective anxiety treatments. This sparked the idea behind FLIKK in Iceland. Brynjar explains;

Child mental health is an urgent issue in Iceland, and access to specialized care is limited. With FLIKK, we can reach families across the country and Iceland is the first nation in the world to implement such a digital treatment nationwide.

Global Rollout Based on Icelandic Experience

The University of Oxford recently received a £7 million grant from the Wellcome Trust to expand OSI internationally to Chile, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, and Pakistan. Iceland’s successful implementation of FLIKK is serving as a model for these efforts.

It’s inspiring that Iceland’s experience will now help other countries introduce digital mental health suppor. In several of these nations, this will be the first time such services are available.

Says Anna Sigríður.

Next Steps

Around 100 children are already enrolled in FLIKK, and plans are underway to introduce a version tailored for parents of children with autism and anxiety.

Anna Sigríður says they are grateful for the positive collaboration among researchers, health professionals, and families. Adding that digital health technology is here to stay, and it’s exciting to see Iceland at the forefront of this change.

Parents of children aged 5–12 who may be experiencing anxiety can register for FLIKK through the website. After a brief screening, eligible families are paired with a psychologist who guides them through the online program.