Many people with diabetes also struggle with their mental health. Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing can make it easier to manage diabetes. That is why Diabetes Alliance Program Plus has made two online programs available to support your mental health – MoRe and SHADE.
MoRe and SHADE are currently a part of a research study to develop a diabetes specific mental health program. And while MoRe and SHADE are not diabetes specific, they may still provide you with different tips and strategies that you can use to stay on top of your mental health.
About DAP+ Mental Wellbeing
DAP+ Mental Wellbeing is a part of the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+). DAP+ aims to improve health outcomes and the experiences of care for patients with diabetes within their own general practice. DAP+ is a collaboration between the Hunter New England Local Health District, The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, Hunter Medical Research Institute, and the University of Newcastle.
DAP+ offers a range of flexible services, including in-person case conferencing clinics between the DAP+ specialist team, GP’s, and patients, as well as telehealth services to help eliminate access and transport difficulties for patients.
More recently, DAP+ has been expanded to include several lifestyle components, including DAP+ Mental Wellbeing. The focus of DAP+ Mental Wellbeing is to help people living with diabetes improve their mental health, as many people living with diabetes also struggle with their mental health. It is believed that improving the mental health of people with diabetes will also improve their ability of people to look after themselves and manage their diabetes.
For more information about DAP+ follow this link: https://www.dapplus.org.au/.
What DAP+ Mental Wellbeing offers
DAP+ Mental Wellbeing currently offers free access to two online programs that may provide some useful tips and strategies for better mental health while living with diabetes. The two programs that are currently offered by DAP+ Mental Wellbeing are MoRe and SHADE. These programs were developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle and the University of Sydney.
MoRe was developed for people struggling with depression and anxiety whereas SHADE was developed for people struggling with depression and/or alcohol use issues. Both programs are based on the best available evidence, using techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy. And while people with diabetes may learn some useful strategies and tips from MoRe and SHADE, the programs are not specific to people with diabetes. To address this, the two programs are currently a part of a research study that aims to develop a mental health program specific to the needs of people with diabetes.
The research study
DAP+ Mental Wellbeing is inviting DAP+ patients to provide feedback on MoRe and SHADE as a part of the development of a diabetes-specific mental health program. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and eligible participants who complete the survey will be entitled to a gift voucher.
Although we are only looking for input from DAP+ participants, anyone can use the programs of DAP+ Mental Wellbeing. DAP+ participants also do not have to be a part of the survey to use either of the programs.
To be a part of the research study, simply register for an account and click ‘Yes’ to being contacted about the study.