An initiative which aims to help young people who experience anxiety and depression among other mental illnesses has been expanded across Glasgow.

The Blues programme features secondary school workshops which have been taking place in two local schools since October and after a successful trial run will grow to six schools this year.

The new initiative is greatly needed according to a study released by Action for Children, based on more than 5000 questionnaires completed by secondary school pupils across the UK, found that a third of 15 to 18-year-olds are suffering from mental health and emotional wellbeing issues reports BBC news.

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The course takes place over a six-week period and involves weekly one-hour group sessions within the school and further home assignments. These sessions are believed to build group rapport and cognitive restructuring techniques as well as effective and personalised coping strategies.

Action for Children Director for Scotland Paul Carberry spoke of the importance and need for mental health programmes like these. He said: "With figures showing 75 per cent of adults with lifelong mental health issues first experience symptoms by the age of 18, it is early intervention programmes like the 'Blues Programme' which are key to tackling these types of issues."