{"id":17117,"date":"2024-01-16T13:58:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-16T18:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boscoville1stg.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/boscoville-services\/our-programs\/blues-preventing-depression-in-youth\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:44:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:44:24","slug":"blues-preventing-depression-in-youth","status":"publish","type":"deployment-program","link":"https:\/\/www.boscoville.ca\/en\/boscoville-services\/our-programs\/blues-preventing-depression-in-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"BLUES: PREVENTING DEPRESSION IN YOUTH"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Based On<\/p>\n

The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach.
\nBlues is a Qu\u00e9bec-based adaptation of the Blues Program, which was created at the Oregon Research Institute, in the United States, by Stice and Rhode (2008).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Foundations <\/strong>of the Blues<\/strong> Program<\/h2><\/div>
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The Blues Program is well known for its effectiveness. The Blues Program<\/a><\/em> is one of the most studied programs of its kind in the world (Brunwasser and Garber, 2016<\/em>) and
several studies have shown that it helps prevent depression in youth (Stice et al., 2008; Stice et al., 2018; Rhode et al., 2014, Bri\u00e8re et al., 2019<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Qu\u00e9bec Blues Program, adapted from the American Blues Program<\/em> (Stice et al., 2008), was evaluated in the province and is now fully functional, thanks to the collaboration between various professionals and researchers at Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al <\/a>and Boscoville.<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

Objectives <\/strong>of the Blues<\/strong> Program<\/h2><\/div>
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The Blues Program is a targeted prevention <\/strong>program to curb depression <\/strong>in youth. By reducing symptoms of depression<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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“Every time I came back I was like wow, I feel like learning a new strategy so that I’ll feel better.<\/em>“<\/p>\n

17-year-old participant in Reigner (2018) <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n \n\n\n

Depression <\/strong>in Youth <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
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Depression <\/strong>is one of the most common mental <\/strong>health disorders during adolescence (Pich\u00e9 et al., 2017; Shorey et al., 2022<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it is estimated that 5% of adolescents suffer from major depressive <\/strong>disorder and that 20% of youths show elevated depression symptoms (Pich\u00e9 et al.; 2017; Cheung and Dewa, 2006<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of depression<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, people with depressive symptoms have a higher mortality rate, partly due to deaths by suicide (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depressive symptoms, even when they are not of a clinical nature, are still significantly harmful to the proper functioning of youth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Risks Associated with Depression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders are not treated, they tend to become more chronic and severe (Minist\u00e8re de la Sant\u00e9 et des Services Sociaux [MSSS], 2021<\/em>), and lead to a higher risk of developing another disorder (Cournoyer et al., 2016<\/em>). The risks associated with depression are the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Disengagement, failure and dropping out of school <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Behavioural problems and substance abuse <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Social and interpersonal problems <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Suicidal ideas and behaviours. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    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. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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    What You Get with the Blues Program<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Training<\/p>\n

    The Blues Program includes 10.5-hours of in-person training or a 12-hour online training. It helps you familiarize yourself with the cognitive-behavioral approach used in the Blues Workshop, how to implement the program and how to put into practice the exercises on Blues Web.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Support<\/p>\n

    In addition to the training on the Blues Program, Boscoville’s online support also includes:<\/p>\n

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    • A planning meeting <\/li>\n
    • A preparatory meeting on awareness <\/li>\n
    • A support meeting and ongoing support <\/li>\n
    • A review meeting to ensure the program’s sustainability<\/li>\n
    • The authorization to deploy the program offered by Boscoville<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The support of the partner environments aims to ensure the program is deployed properly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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      Blues Web and Blues Workshops <\/p>\n

      For Social Care Professionals: <\/b>Blues Web is an exclusive platform for screening potential young candidates who may benefit from the program. Professionals can track the home exercises, offer encouragement and provide feedback to the participants, providing occasional follow-ups if needed. They also have access to various contents from the toolkit, in a printable format or interactive form.<\/p>\n

      For Youth:<\/b> Blues Web helps young people practise strategies in a fun way, receiving reminders about their workshops and notifications to complete the exercises. They have access to their exercises at the time they need it the most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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      Turnkey Toolkit <\/p>\n

      A toolkit where you’ll find all the tools necessary to implement the Blues Program, including the recruitment tools, animation guide and participant’s guide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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      Training to Ensure the Program's Sustainability<\/p>\n

      Twice a year, Boscoville offers online training intended for new social care professionals integrating existing authorized Blues Program environments .<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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      New: Online\/Offline Training<\/p>\n

      We are currently developing online\/offline training for the Blues Program, combining technopedagogy and on-site support. This training aims to improve the efficiency of the program’s implementation and support its sustainability in serviced environments. It will be available by 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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      Take the Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Would you like more information or to find out more about the Blues <\/strong>program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n