Blues Program (Cognitive Behavioral Group Depression Intervention)
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Blues Program teaches high school students who have depressive systems, or who are at risk of onset of major depression, how to apply healthy behaviors to their own lives. Through six weekly one-hour sessions, participants focus on building group rapport, increasing involvement in pleasant activities, learning and practicing cognitive restructuring techniques, and developing response plans to future life stressors. Through reinforcing homework assignments, participants practice applying the skills learned in daily life.
Goal / Mission
To significantly reduce depressive symptoms and to reduce the rates of future major depressive disorder onset among adolescents.
Impact
The Blues Program has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms, decrease rates of major depression onset, decrease rates of substance use, and increase factors that are protective against depression.
Results / Accomplishments
Compared to comparison groups, participants in the Blues Program had greater reductions in interviewer-rated depressive symptoms, greater reductions in self-rated depressive symptoms, and lower rates of major depression onset at various stages of posttest measurement. Participants also had greater reductions in self-reported substance use at posttest and six-month follow-up compared to comparison groups. Risk and protective factors were also improved, with participants demonstrating significantly higher scores on a measure of cognitive behavioral knowledge, greater improvements in social adjustment, and reduced negative cognitions and increased reports of pleasant activities.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Oregon Research Institute
Primary Contact
Paul Rohde
Oregon Research Center
1776 Millrace Drive
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 484-2123
paulr@ori.org
http://thebluesprogram.weebly.com/
Oregon Research Center
1776 Millrace Drive
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 484-2123
paulr@ori.org
http://thebluesprogram.weebly.com/
Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
Oregon Research Institute
Source
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
Date of publication
2015
For more details
Target Audience
Teens