MON-172 Morbid Thoughts Improve in Participants with Uncontrolled Diabetes after a Mental Health Educational Program

Background Participants with uncontrolled diabetes may be at risk for developing morbid thoughts. This study examines the relationship between uncontrolled diabetes and morbid thoughts after an 8-week educational program. Methods Participants met once a week for 8 weeks for an educational program. Each meeting was run by a trained facilitator, did not establish a doctor-patient relationship, and consisted of a DVD presentation of a health professional followed by group discussion. The program emphasized healthy behaviors such as exercise, and a plant-based diet, positive thinking, sleep hygiene, among others. Each participant completed a mental health test at baseline and at the end of the program. It measured depression according to the DSM-5 [The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Volume 5] criteria, demographics, and patient history. It included a DSM-5 question and rating standard of determining morbid thoughts: “Thinking about death often or considering harming yourself or others” with 0 being none-rare, 1 being ¼ of the days, 2 being ½ of the days, and 3 being almost every day. Results A total of n=154 participants, mean age was 57, S=12, (n=104 females) were split into two groups: those who were able to control their diabetes after the program (n=71) and those who were not (n=83). From the participants who gained control over their diabetes, 30 scored 1, 18 scored 2, and 23 scored 3 at baseline. After the program, 50 scored 0, 9 scored 1, 9 scored 2, and 3 scored 3. From the participants who did not gain control over their diabetes, 28 scored 1, 32 scored 2, and 23 scored 3 at baseline. After the program, 54 scored 0, 20 scored 1, 6 scored 2, and 3 scored 3. 70% of the those who gained control over diabetes had reported no or rare morbid thoughts while 65% of those who did not reported no or rare morbid thoughts. The combined groups morbid thoughts scores before (M=1.92, S=0.82) were also significantly lower afterwords (M=0.5, S=0.83), t(153)=16.29, p<.001. Conclusions The educational program was effective in lowering morbid thoughts among participants with uncontrolled diabetes. Those who gained control of their diabetes were more likely to decrease morbid thoughts. More study should be done to determine further significance and long-term stability.