Based On
The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach.
Blues is a Québec-based adaptation of the Blues Program, which was created at the Oregon Research Institute, in the United States, by Stice and Rhode (2008).
The Foundations of the Blues Program
The Blues Program is well known for its effectiveness. The Blues Program is one of the most studied programs of its kind in the world (Brunwasser and Garber, 2016) and
several studies have shown that it helps prevent depression in youth (Stice et al., 2008; Stice et al., 2018; Rhode et al., 2014, Brière et al., 2019).
The Québec Blues Program, adapted from the American Blues Program (Stice et al., 2008), was evaluated in the province and is now fully functional, thanks to the collaboration between various professionals and researchers at Université de Montréal and Boscoville.
Objectives of the Blues Program
The Blues Program is a targeted prevention program to curb depression in youth. By reducing symptoms of depression, the program also helps lower the rate of major depression and the need for an intensive and individualized follow-up. Moreover, the program helps improve success and persistence in school, while enhancing social adjustment and reducing substance abuse.
Depression in Youth
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders during adolescence (Piché et al., 2017; Shorey et al., 2022).
In fact, it is estimated that 5% of adolescents suffer from major depressive disorder and that 20% of youths show elevated depression symptoms (Piché et al.; 2017; Cheung and Dewa, 2006).
Symptoms of depression have serious consequences on youth, such as social, familial and learning difficulties. They can also be associated with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, eating and substance abuse disorders.
Moreover, people with depressive symptoms have a higher mortality rate, partly due to deaths by suicide (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).
Depressive symptoms, even when they are not of a clinical nature, are still significantly harmful to the proper functioning of youth.
Risks Associated with Depression
When symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders are not treated, they tend to become more chronic and severe (Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux [MSSS], 2021), and lead to a higher risk of developing another disorder (Cournoyer et al., 2016). The risks associated with depression are the following:
- Disengagement, failure and dropping out of school
- Behavioural problems and substance abuse
- Social and interpersonal problems
- Suicidal ideas and behaviours.
As a result, it is important to be able to offer prevention programs to intervene upstream and avoid the crystallization of depressive symptoms or the development of comorbidities.
What You Get with the Blues Program
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The Blues Program, In Numbers
Blues Reduces by Up to 8 Times the Risk of Major Depressive Disorder in Youth
In optimal conditions, Blues results in benefits that persist for a period of 2 years, such as:
- Reduced symptoms of depression
- Improved social functioning
- Reduced substance use
Brière et al., (2019); Brunwasser and Garber, (2016); Rohde et al., (2018); Stice et al, (2010)
Blues Web
An exclusive platform for partners of the Blues Program. Blues Web gives you access to the turnkey toolkit, allows you to do the screening and get support for the animation and implementation of the program.
The Blues Program Across Québec
17 Training Partners
623 Trained Social Care Professionals
113 Authorized Environments
Useful Links
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Discover Our Blues One-Pager
This one-pager gives an overview of the Blues Program, designed to reduce depressive symptoms in youth.
Researchers and Consultants
The late Frédéric Nault-Brière.
Professor, School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal (2020).
Kim Archambault, Ph. D., ps. ed.
Assistant Professor
School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal
Gabrielle Yale-Soulière, M. Sc., ps. ed.
Lecturer, School of Psychoeducation; Project Coordinator for Blues and Pastel; PhD candidate, Université de Montréal.
In Partnership With
- Oregon Research Institute
- TELUS Friendly Future Foundation
- Pointe-de-l’Ile School Service Centre
- Marguerite Bourgeois School Board
- Baie-James School Service Centre
- CIUSSS de l’Estrie – Fleurimont Hospital
- CIUSSS du Nord de l’île de Montréal – Rivière-Des-Prairies Hospital
“Without this massive screening tool, we could overlook students who show no outward symptoms or sometimes have a difficult family or personal history that the school team may not suspect (suicidal ideas, abuse, violence).”
Magaly Huaracha, Psychoeducator co-responsible for the project at Calixa-Lavallée