Objectives Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada. The co-
occurrence of mental illnesses and diabetes is well documented, with diabetes being 2 to 3
times more prevalent in individuals with mental illnesses when compared to the general
population. In clinical practices, diabetes management practices continue to be based on
the chronic disease model, which conceptualizes diabetes as a physiologic and behavioural
deficiency; therefore, clinical and policy efforts are directed toward the enhancement of …