Managing diabetes with mental health issues or addictions
Photo: The Corner Clinic cooking class program will also be starting up again, where we teach clients how to cook healthy meals, followed by them getting to eat the meal afterwards.
There are a number of barriers that make it difficult for low-income individuals with addictions and mental health issues to manage their diabetes. The Canadian Diabetes Association, in partnership with service agencies in Sudbury, Ontario, has received a grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to do research into this unique group of individuals.
People living in a low-income situation with addictions and/or mental health issues are a difficult group to reach. The research being conducted is to learn new ways to reach this population on a regular basis to help them live well with their diabetes.
Focus groups will be held throughout October 2012 to help determine what programs and services are required to better serve this unique population in our community. Once the necessary programs are established, it is hoped that measureable changes can be made in people living with diabetes who also have mental health issues or addictions, including improved health outcomes, improved knowledge of diabetes and changes to lifestyle.
The ability to do the research is due to the wonderful partnerships that have been developed, which include Laurentian University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Rockhaven, Iris Addiction Recovery for Women, the Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury, Health Sciences North – Positive Steps and the Corner Clinic.
The cost of diabetes to the Canadian healthcare system is crippling. It is projected to balloon from a current $13.2 billion a year to over $19 billion by 2020. Diabetes could well be the disease that brings down the healthcare system. It is the main driver behind one in 10 admissions to acute care hospital settings. Helping individuals with diabetes stay healthy will have a direct impact on the Canadian healthcare system in reducing costs and helping increase the quality of life of people living with diabetes.