Living with Diabetes | 19
mental health
professionals
WHAT A HEALTH diabetes health care team — all of
CARE TEAM DOES the team activities center around
A mental health professional, usually a social
helping you and your child manage
worker or psychologist (but sometimes
The diabetes health care team diabetes. In many cases, the roles
a psychiatrist or counselor), can be an
teaches families about diabetes. and responsibilities of the team
invaluable resource to families dealing with
diabetes.The team helps families create and members overlap. You should feel
use the child’s treatment plan. This comfortable communicating with all
Mental health professionals can help parents
treatment plan is also called the of the team members because you’ll
assess any troubles or problems occurring
diabetes management plan. be in contact with them often.
at home, work or school. They can also
monitor how diabetes care is affecting the
The team may adjust insulin and Depending on where you live and
entire family. In addition, they can help you
determine strategies to improve your child’s
other diabetes medicines, develop the type of diabetes facility that
diabetes management.
meal plans and make physical you visit (whether it’s a specialty
activity recommendations to help diabetes clinic or your family
Social workers can also direct you to
control your child’s blood sugar levels. doctor’s offi ce), you may fi nd all
outside resources (such as support groups)
members of your team in one place.
that help families dealing with diabetes.
All team members should take Or you might visit several different They can suggest ways that families
can get necessary diabetes equipment
into account your child’s schedule, offi ces for diabetes care. If you don’t
and supplies, and help families manage
skills, preferences, lifestyle and have access to a dietitian or mental
insurance and fi nancial issues.
developmental needs. The team can health professional but would like to
also help you cope with the parenting see one, ask your family doctor if he
Psychologists and psychiatrists can use
challenges of having a child who or she can refer you to one.
behavior modifi cation techniques to help
has a chronic illness. They can help kids who are having diffi culty controlling
their diabetes, dealing with anger or
your child cope with his or her own Every person on the team is
sadness, or having diffi culty taking on
particular set of challenges. important to managing your child’s
the responsibility of caring for their own
diabetes. Make sure all of them
diabetes. Psychiatrists can also prescribe
Keep in mind that you and your know the plan so that care is as well
medicines for emotional problems related to
diabetes, such as depression.child are the captains of your coordinated as possible.
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