TORONTO, ON (September 12, 2023) – Mental health matters. Especially for those living with diabetes, a chronic condition affecting more than 4 million Canadians.
Living with diabetes requires constant planning and vigilance - of nutrition, blood glucose levels, managing medications, or externally administered insulin – along with the fear of potential diabetes-related complications, including blindness, kidney disease, amputation, and even early death. Research has shown that people with diabetes are more likely to experience mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders and can benefit from interventions that prevent or treat these mental health conditions.
To better help address some of the many gaps in mental health support for people with diabetes, Diabetes Canada collaborated with JDRF Canada in late 2022 to launch the Mental Health + Diabetes Training Program. This bilingual program, designed and implemented by JDRF Canada with the support of Diabetes Canada, provides knowledge and tools to help registered Canadian mental health providers deliver the best support to their clients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and expand the capacity of health systems to meet this currently underserved need.
As a result, JDRF Canada and Diabetes Canada are now able to launch the Mental Health + Diabetes Directory. The Directory is intended to provide people living with or affected by diabetes with access to information about registered mental health providers who have engaged in additional training to understand the reality of living with diabetes to provide mental health support specific to addressing the realities of living with diabetes. Every mental health provider included in the Directory has successfully completed the Mental Health + Diabetes Training Program.
Both the Training Program and Directory will help to close gaps in both the delivery of and access to mental health supports for those living with diabetes across Canada.
Quotes:
Laura Syron, CEO & President – Diabetes Canada
“As someone who lives with diabetes, I know first-hand the strain this chronic condition can place on your mental and emotional health. Through innovative partnerships like this one with JDRF, Diabetes Canada is proud to play a role in building better mental health supports and care for people living with diabetes in Canada. This Directory will empower health-care providers to address the holistic needs of their patients and provide them with the resources and tools to live well with their condition.”
Dr. Sarah Linklater, Chief Scientific Officer – JDRF Canada
“Through the Mental Health + Diabetes Training Program and now the launch of the Directory, JDRF Canada aims to increase the capacity of Canadian mental health providers to support people with diabetes and, in turn, improve their quality of life and health outcomes. Working together with Diabetes Canada will allow us to expand the reach of these initiatives and we continue to be so grateful for their support and collaboration.”
Monica Murray, M.Ed. (OACCPP), RP
"The upcoming launch of The Mental Health + Diabetes Directory is an exciting initiative from JDRF Canada and Diabetes Canada. This directory will feature professionals who understand the complexities associated with this chronic disease since they have all completed extensive training on the diabetes-specific challenges experienced by clients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The Mental Health + Diabetes Directory will be an excellent resource for clients with diabetes and for their family members as well.”
Henri Ng-Wan, CRHA
"When I received my diagnosis, I remember having a tough time accepting my new reality. After a few months, I got the courage to ask my endocrinologist for a referral and even though she wanted to help me, she was not able to give me any reference as she was also struggling to find mental health specialists for other patients. The same thing happened when I reached out to a Quebec-based association whose mission is to support people living with diabetes. The directory responds to the needs of our community and was a missing tool for our healthcare professionals."
About Diabetes Canada
A world free of the effects of diabetes is our vision. That’s why we’re working together to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes. We’re sharing knowledge and creating connections for individuals and the health-care professionals who care for them; advocating through public policy; and funding research to improve treatments and find a cure to end diabetes.
About JDRF Canada
JDRF Canada is the leading charitable organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research in Canada. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. Since our founding in 1974, JDRF has invested more than $80 million CDN in research funding. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, governments, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout Canada and five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our shared vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.ca