Reference no: EM132925013

Discussion 1: Review the following treatments and rationale. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What information from this week's content or outside information can you cite to support your opinions?

The purpose of this discussion is to recommend two resources that should be provided for a 15 year old male newly diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Unfortunately, chronic diagnoses such as diabetes have the potential to cause mental health issues in teenagers. Developmentally, they want to be like their peers and fit in to a group. It has been studied that rates of depression in teenagers with diabetes can range from 8% to 22% ("Behavioral health and diabetes," 2021). In my opinion, there are two reasons why this patient feels depressed. First, they may not have basic knowledge about their disease and how their life is going to change. Thus, the patient should be referred to a diabetes educator as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. This resource can help a patient increase their knowledge, skills and confidence with management of diabetes ("Diabetes education program," 2021). Most importantly, the counselor can discuss and help the patient overcome stigmas related to the disorder ("Behavioral health and diabetes," 2021). With increased knowledge, the patient will hopefully feel they can manage the disease. In addition, the patient should be referred to a diabetes support group that specifically encompasses patients of the same age. In this group, the patient can discuss his own thoughts and feelings ("Diabetes and mental health," 2021). The patient may feel less depression knowing that other kids are going through the same disease as him. Thus, a diabetes support counselor and support group are two resources that should be recommended.