This month’s newsletter dedicated to understanding and supporting individuals facing depression and chronic illness. Living with a chronic illness can be challenging on multiple levels, often bringing with it emotional impacts that may include depression, anxiety, and stress. For many, managing these overlapping conditions is a daily journey requiring resilience, support, and awareness.
Research suggests that there are complex links between diabetes and mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia — connections that are not fully understood. For example, studies show that people who are diagnosed with depression are 60% more likely to develop diabetes than the general population.
Up to 1 in 3 people with a serious chronic illness experience symptoms of depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
One study found that people with serious mental illness who had never taken psychiatric medication were more likely to have blood sugar levels meeting diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes
Spend time on hobbies, exercise, or social activities to find balance in your life.
Schedule regular medical checkups, eat nutritious meals, and stay hydrated to maintain your physical health
Find little moments that bring you joy, like a good meal, a beautiful day, or a small accomplishment.
Qigong practices during the fall center on the lungs and large intestine moving the body from the yang (heat) of summer into the yin (cold) of winter.
Breathing exercises focusing on belly breathing: sit relaxed with your hands on the belly. Breathe in through the nose expanding the belly gently, exhale through pursed lips and let the belly sink. Once you have this down, try to exhale twice as long as you inhale.
Check out our drumming program!
R2R Drumming
Experiential drumming can help participants to collaborate, communicate, and increase awareness of self and others.
*this is for informational purposes only, it is not a substitute for professional advice*
Want to become a mental health first aider?
Mental Health First Aid
Better understand what can help people who are going through a mental health crisis and assist in their time of need.
*this is for informational purposes only, it is not a substitute for professional advice*
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