Caring for the Whole You
Understanding the link between mental and physical health
When you think about living with diabetes, factors like blood sugar, medications, food choices and exercise probably come to mind. However, there's another side to managing a chronic disease that’s just as important, but often overlooked – your mental health.
A person’s physical and mental health are deeply connected. Studies show that people living with diabetes and other chronic illnesses are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and emotional distress.
For diabetes patients, the daily effort to monitor glucose, plan meals, stay active and prevent complications can feel exhausting. And when your mental health suffers, it becomes even more difficult to stay in good physical health.
What is a chronic illness?
When you have a common cold or flu, you can typically recover with rest and medication. But for those dealing with a chronic disease, this is not the case.
A chronic illness is a health condition that requires long-term and ongoing medical attention, and that may never go away. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions, along with heart disease, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders and obesity.
For those living with diabetes, the emotional burden is real. Frequently, pain and fatigue become a part of a person’s everyday life and limit their ability to function at work, school and home. These changes may damage their confidence and self-esteem, and make it difficult for them to live independently.
In fact, the American Diabetes Association reports those with diabetes are two to three times more likely to experience depression than others. Without needed support, this can lead to what’s known as diabetes burnout—a state of feeling emotionally worn out by the demands of daily care.
That’s why addressing both your physical and mental health isn’t optional—it’s essential to healing.
The mind-body connection
The link between mental and physical health is strong—and it works both ways. For people living with diabetes, emotional strain can have a direct impact on blood sugar control and overall health. Stress, anxiety and depression can affect how the body functions, including how it uses insulin and regulates hormones.
For example, when someone is under chronic stress, their body releases cortisol, a hormone that can raise blood sugar levels and contribute to weight gain. This makes it harder to stick to a healthy routine and can lead to a worsening of physical symptoms. At the same time, physical symptoms—like fatigue, pain or dietary restrictions—can fuel feelings of frustration, isolation or hopelessness.
Left unaddressed, this can create a cycle that’s hard to break: mental health struggles interfere with physical self-care, and worsening physical health deepens emotional distress. Over time, this cycle can increase the risk of diabetes-related complications and reduce quality of life.
Treating diabetes effectively means treating the whole person—not just the condition. Managing stress, building healthy coping tools and having access to emotional support are just as important as medication, nutrition and exercise. When mind and body are supported together, long-term health outcomes improve—and so does overall well-being.
We’re here for you
“Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the body—it influences how people feel, function and live each day,” said SFCHC Clinical Director of Adult Medicine Vishaal Buch, MD. “At SFCHC, we take a whole person approach to care because mental and physical health are deeply connected. That’s why every patient in our diabetes program is referred for one-on-one counseling with a licensed behavioral health provider. Supporting emotional well-being is a vital part of managing, and even preventing, chronic disease.”
To further support patients, SFCHC offers the FEAST (Food, Education, Action, Support, Together) program. This 12- to 16-week curriculum helps individuals maintain a positive physical, emotional and mental outlook as they navigate the challenges that come with a diabetes diagnosis. It offers guidance on nutrition, access to education about healthy food choices and ongoing social group sharing with an emphasis on peer and emotional support.
The educational component focuses on teaching participants nutrition and how to use fresh produce and whole grains to cook healthy, satisfying meals. Together, they also receive support through weekly check-ins and sharing circles to forge strong social connections while addressing underlying elements of eating.
SFCHC also offers many other resources, such as a diabetes self-management program that teaches patients how to manage diabetes and avoid complications through healthy eating, being active, taking medication, monitoring, stress management, and healthy lifestyle changes. It includes group education and hands-on cooking classes, where participants learn to prepare nutritious meals tailored to their cultural preferences.
Additionally, we provide comprehensive behavioral health services, including individual therapy, support groups and wellness resources for those coping with stress, anxiety or depression—whether or not they have a chronic illness.
To learn more about SFCHC’s medical and behavioral health services, or to schedule an appointment, please visit sfchealthcenter.org or call 818.963.5690.
Mental Health Awareness Month
This May, we join communities across the country in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. The 2025 theme from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SMAHSA) is “Where to Start: Health in a Changing World.”
This national campaign reminds us that mental well-being is essential to overall health—and that the first step is simply starting the conversation. SAMHSA encourages all of us to:
Recognize that mental health matters every day
Talk openly and break the stigma
Reach out and access support
Click here to explore the full toolkit at SAMHSA’s website.
