Action for Children have got the Blues

Action for Children are currently running the Blues within senior schools in the Furness area. The Blues is an evidence based school programme that addresses depressive symptoms in 13-18 year olds.

The Blues has been developed by Paul Rhode of Washington Institute and this programme is being brought to the UK for the first time by Action for Children due to their successful corporate partnership with Royal Mail.

The programme has evidenced the following positive outcomes on young people’s depression scores:

• Lower rates of major depression onset at six-month follow-up – studies showed a reduction of between 46%-83%.
• Lower rates of major depression two years after the program ended - 40% lower for students in the Blues Programme compared to the control sample.
• Illicit drug use – studies showed a 60% reduction at follow up stage.
• Reductions in self-reported substance use.

Within the Furness area the programme has been funded and supported by Cumbria County Council’s Children and Young People’s working group, delivered at three different senior schools, and each time this has had positive results. 88% of all pupils that completed the programme have shown improvement in their levels of low mood and symptoms of anxiety.

For further information about the programme, you can contact Michelle here: michelle.doherty@actionforchildren.org.uk.