What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to gather clinician perspectives on the barriers to mental health support and the role of digital mindfulness interventions for young adults with T1D.

June 7, 2026

2789-LB: Clinician Perspectives on Barriers to Mental Health Support and Digital Mindfulness Tools for Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Key Points

The study aims to gather clinician perspectives on the barriers to mental health support and the role of digital mindfulness interventions for young adults with T1D.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 clinicians involved in young adult T1D care.
Explored topics such as mental health barriers, continuity of care, and reactions to digital mindfulness tools.
Applied deductive thematic analysis to identify key themes for intervention development.
Clinicians recognized significant barriers to mental wellness in T1D care.
Identified themes included expanding access through innovation, integrating mental health into care, enhancing continuity, and addressing multilevel access barriers.
Clinicians supported recommending mindfulness tools like Calm Health for young adults with T1D.

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: People with diabetes experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population. This issue is especially pronounced for young adults with T1D who have both limited access to mental health resources particularly during the transition to adult care. The objective of this study was to elicit clinician perspectives on barriers to mental health support and the potential role of mindfulness-based digital interventions to inform intervention development for this population. Methods: Semi-structured interviews of 13 clinicians (physicians, advanced practice providers, a social worker, a registered dietitian, a clinical psychologist) involved in the care of young adults with T1D. Interviews (range 20-30 min, average 26 min) explored barriers to mental health resources, continuity of care, and perspectives on mindfulness-based digital tools including reactions to brief Calm Health content. Transcripts were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis to identify salient themes relevant to intervention development and implementation. Results: Clinicians identified a clear need to address barriers to mental wellness in T1D care. Four themes emerged: (1) expanding access through scalable innovation; (2) integrating mental health support into routine care; (3) enhancing continuity of care; and (4) overcoming multilevel access barriers. Clinicians expressed the need for scalable, accessible approaches. and endorsed they would recommend mindfulness-based digital tools such as Calm Health to young adults with T1D. Conclusion: Results highlight clinician perceptions of multifaceted barriers to mental wellness in young adults with T1D and underscore the need for scalable, accessible interventions. These findings support the development of a mindfulness-based digital tool for young adults with T1D and future feasibility trials of such approaches. Disclosure J. Lukasik: None. G. Ash: None. S. Mak: None. J. Sherr: Other - research support, consultant, advisory board member; Current; Abbott Diabetes. Other - advisory board member, consultant; Current; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Consultant; Current; Ypsomed AG. Research Support; Current; Dexcom, Inc., JDRF, Provention Bio, Inc., National Institutes of Health. Other - research support, consultant, advisory board member; Current; Insulet Corporation, Medtronic. Research Support; Current; Sanofi. Advisory Panel; Current; sequel med tech. L. Fucito: None. L. Nally: Consultant; Current; Medtronic. Other - independent contractor; Ended; WebMD LLC. Consultant; Ended; Calm, Inc. Advisory Panel; Current; Insulet Corporation. Consultant; Current; Sequel. Funding National Institutes of Health (K01DK129441, K23DK128560)

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