Screening for Mental Health Comorbidities in a Pediatric Diabetes Clinic Setting

Seattle Children’s Hospital is a tertiary care, free-standing pediatric hospital in the U.S. Pacific Northwest that serves the largest geographic region of any children's hospital in the country. The pediatric diabetes program is staffed by 16 pediatric endocrinologists, 6 advanced practice providers, and medical trainees (i.e., endocrine fellows, pediatric residents, and medical students). The multidisciplinary team also includes 22 nurses (13 of whom are certified diabetes educators), 4 diabetes social workers, and 6 dietitians. All diabetes social workers on the team have master’s-level training and are qualified to carry out psychosocial assessments, including the evaluation of patients’ mental health, social status, and functional capacity within the community. In addition, all have completed required continuing education specific to suicide assessment to maintain their Washington state license and are aware of mental health resources available in the region at the community level.