Grant: Operating Gr.: DPP&S - Indigenous YYA T2D Prevention & Self-Management

The rates of diabetes are increasing among youth and young adults. This rise is particularly steep among Indigenous peoples who also face high rates of depression and emotional distress due to the ongoing legacy of colonization resulting in systemic racism and intergenerational trauma. Diabetes care includes many aspects of self-care (checking sugar, taking medication, following exercise and diet advice), which is negatively impacted by emotional distress. The emotional distress specific to living with diabetes, known as diabetes distress (DD), is due to feeling overwhelmed by the demands of self-care, fears of complications, and guilt or shame over lifestyle choices. DD is known to be related to decreased wellbeing and poor diabetes control. DD has not been studied among Indigenous youth, nor have interventions aimed at reducing it to improve diabetes management. Peer support has been shown to help empower youth and young adults by normalizing their experiences and providing a safe space to express themselves. In the Eeyou Istchee Cree community in Quebec, Jonathan Linton, an Indigenous young adult with diabetes, developed a program for youth with diabetes on management and self-care for diabetes that incorporates traditional elements. As he helps participants be more active and eat healthier, he supports them in their journey with diabetes and creates a safe space for them to voice their concerns, easing their distress. This research proposal will build on the initiative developed by Mr. Linton to create a community of peer-mentors to provide Indigenous youth and young adults with the support needed to improve their distress and improve their diabetes control. To evaluate the program, a combination of questionnaires to assess changes in DD and other emotional factors, measures of diabetes outcomes (sugar levels, blood pressure, weight), and Photovoice, a research tool that allows participants to use images to explain their experience with diabetes, will be used.