Mental Health and Diabetes - Core - CDEP

People living with diabetes need emotional and psychological support to manage their diabetes well and protect their mental health (Diabetes UK's Future of Diabetes report in 2017). "Diabetes doesn't just affect someone physically. The effect of varying blood sugar levels on mood - and the relentless need to manage the condition - affects mental health." This brief introductory topic, designed for healthcare staff working outside a specialist mental health service, aims to: Raise the awareness of the prevalence and range of mental health conditions in people living with diabetes, Discuss the impact of mental health and emotional well-being on a person's ability to self-manage, Encourage appropriate strategies to promote self-care where possible, Highlight key tools available to detect mental health difficulties in people living with diabetes, Encourage healthcare staff to make use of screening tools and communication skills to open conversations about the burden of diabetes, Support first-line advice and counselling skills should a mental health difficulty be identified, and Sign-post local referral pathways for further support, as appropriate. TOPIC TIPS... You do not have to complete the topic in one go... CDEP is designed to be done in 'bite-sized chunks' fitting into your busy life! This topic, on average, takes 30 - 60 minutes to complete depending on your chosen CDEP level - although this may differ from person to person. This topic was developed together with an expert panel and utilising resources developed by Dr Amrit Sachar, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, from North West London.