World Mental Health Day is Monday, October 10, 2022 and is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.*

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a lifelong condition. The stress of living with a chronic, progressive condition can affect your mental health. Depression and Anxiety are very common with CKD. They can appear in people affected and in those who care about them, through all stages of CKD – from diagnosis to dialysis, following transplantation, and even in deciding not to start or to withdraw from dialysis.

Conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder can worsen symptoms. They may also make it harder to follow your treatment plan or practice the healthy habits you need to live well with CKD.  One of the most important things to remember is: You’re Not Alone

A Few Resources:

American Kidney Fund: Mental Health and Kidney Disease (article)
Davita: 4 Ways to Help Manage Mental Health and Kidney Disease
Fresenius: Support Possibilities
National Kidney Foundation: Learn about treatments for kidney failure, coping and find support.
ReMend: This one-hour webinar featuring Dr. Bijal Patel, President, Balboa Nephrology, discusses mental health and its effects on chronic illness.

*Source: Wikipedia