Tackling the Blues: A sport and arts-based mental health programme for children and young people

ANDY SMITH, RACHEL WILCOCK, Aston Monro, HELEN O'KEEFFE, Jon Jones

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter discusses the initial design and development of an on-going sport and education-based mental health programme – Tackling the Blues (TtB) – which was introduced in January 2015 for primary and secondary school-aged children and young people (CYP) who are experiencing, or are at risk of developing mental illness. It examines how participants were identified, recruited and engaged, and the features of the selected theoretical framework, that is realist evaluation, which underpinned the programme. The chapter explores the lessons learned from using the brand of a professional football club to engage CYP and the training and use of university student peer mentors. It describes the inevitable limitations of the programme imposed by the various inequalities which beset the participants’ lives. TtB is an on-going programme which at the time of writing was nearing the end of its second year of delivery.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMental health and well-being interventions in sport: a case study analysis (2nd ed)
Subtitle of host publicationResearch, Theory and Practice
EditorsGavin Breslin, Gerard Leavey
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter9
Number of pages18
Edition2nd
ISBN (Print)9781003291695
Publication statusPublished - 12 Apr 2024

Keywords

  • Mental Health Programme

Research Groups

  • Sport, Work and Health Research Group

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