Arts for the Blues is available in NHS Talking Therapies in the Greater Manchester Mental Health service across Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Bolton and Wigan. 

Would you know anyone interested in taking part in our Arts for the Blues study taking place in NHS Talking Therapies in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust?

The study is a randomised controlled trial comparing creative psychotherapy for depression called Arts for the Blues with Treatment as Usual such as CBT or counselling. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and is overseen by The University of Salford, Edge Hill University and The University of Manchester. 

Arts for the Blues is a 12-week creative group psychotherapy that combines talking with creative activities such as drawing, writing and movement. You do not need to have any artistic skills to take part – it is about finding ways of expressing yourself that feel comfortable for you. 

The group will meet for 90 minutes each week and will involve approximately 6–8 people. Sessions will be held on various days of the week depending on the location. We are hoping to start the groups in the New Year.    

The study is comparing Arts for the Blues with Treatment as Usual (e.g. counselling or CBT). If you are eligible and decide to take part, you will be randomly allocated to one of these two options. This means there is a 50% chance of being offered the Arts for the Blues group. 

Taking part is completely voluntary and will not affect your access to NHS services. You can also withdraw from the study at any time. 

To be considered for the study, people can self-refer via GMMH Talking Therapies website https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/talking-therapies/ for Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan and Trafford locations. You can also do this via the QR code on the poster here.