Patients with Diabetes: Increasing Identification and Referral for Common Mental Health Issues

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing global health emergencies of the 21st century (IDF, 2021), with over 37 million Americans currently living with the condition (CDC, 2023). People with diabetes are at increased risk for mental health disorders such as diabetes distress, depression, and anxiety, which can worsen disease outcomes (ADA, 2021; Nouwen et al., 2019). These comorbidities heighten the risk of complications, hospitalizations, and mortality (Egede et al., 2010). However, a notable gap exists in primary care providers’ ability to address mental health concerns in this population (Jones et al., 2021). This Quality Improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance the identification and referral of individuals with diabetes to behavioral health services through a 10-week educational workshop for APRNs in a primary care setting. Guided by Jean Watson’s theory of human caring and the 7 A’s model from the ADA’s Diabetes and Emotional Health Practical Guide (Hendrieckx et al., 2021), the intervention emphasized a person-centered approach. Seventeen participants aged 25–64, employed by the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with integrated behavioral health services, completed the workshop. Post-intervention findings showed improved understanding of mental health disorders, greater familiarity with screening tools, and increased referrals to behavioral health. Significant growth in post-test scores highlighted the workshop’s effectiveness in achieving its objectives, demonstrating the potential for improving care for people with diabetes and comorbid mental health challenges.