A gamified, evidence-based approach to reduce harm in and out of school
Through the Blurred Minds program, Griffith University researchers are demonstrating the effectiveness of a gamified, evidence-based model in addressing a crucial public health issue. By applying key marketing principles to youth consumption of alcohol, cannabis, vapes and other drugs, this program has found success, both in Australia and overseas.
Blurred Minds developed by Social Marketing @ Griffith ensures young people receive powerful educational messages regarding alcohol, cannabis, vaping and other drugs. A recent evaluation of Blurred Minds by the research team demonstrated that students have increased capability to refuse a drink, vape or cannabis offering, have reduced, or maintained low levels of use of such substances, and have greater understanding of the associated risks.
The research conducted within the Griffith Business School has shown that more than one in five Australian high school students have tried vaping. While vaping is sometimes viewed as less harmful than smoking, it has many negative impacts. These include:
- risks to health
- missed hours in school
- an 80% increase in school expulsions due to vaping
- extra costs incurred by schools for appropriate disposal of vaping products
- unnecessary fire and emergency services calls.
Teachers have also reported benefits from the program, including stronger connections with students, more effective teaching, increased knowledge, and a generally improved teaching experience. To date, hundreds of teachers have accessed Blurred Minds resources.
The program is underpinned by the Co-create, Build and Engage (CBE) framework, combined with gamification principles to more readily engage the student audience. This model has been so successful that Blurred Minds resources are now being used by hundreds of Australian schools engaging tens of thousands of high school students. The program’s online materials have been accessed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Greece and Turkey; the primary website and its free games receives thousands of visits and gameplays every month. Blurred Minds has reached the Australian public via traditional and online media outlets.
Blurred Minds Academy is now listed as an approved provider of education on alcohol and other drugs for schools in Victoria, on the Victorian Health Menu. This allows Victorian Schools to use their mental health menu fund toward the program. Furthermore, the Queensland Catholic Education Commission has been a long-time partner and supporter of Blurred Minds, and all Catholic schools in Queensland can get free access to the Blurred Minds Academy.
The Blurred Minds program also offers resources for parents to help them broach the topic of alcohol, cannabis and vaping with their school-aged children. The parent-focused website has received thousands of views, and an evaluation of the original Parent Program has shown significant benefits. These include increased confidence when communicating with their children, less permissive attitudes towards underage drinking, increased perceived levels of social support, and a greater knowledge of the risks of underage drinking. The family agreement template has been downloaded around 1,000 times and parents can find a range of resources to help them have conversations with their teenagers around alcohol, vaping, and cannabis.
Want to get in touch with the team? Contact us via our Blurred Minds website.