Dr. Brandy Wicklow, MD MSc

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

for Type 2 Diabetes

In partnership with youth, parents, and community members the investigators have co-developed a program of research designed to address the substantial health disparities faced by First Nations children and families, and the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Report. Specifically; the investigators aim to address the high rates of kidney disease in Indigenous children living with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), by identifying and understanding the root causes for progression of kidney disease and working together to build an evidenced based, novel therapy for diabetes that focuses on mindfulness, personal strengths and incorporates traditional medicine practices that are meaningful to patients. The investigators have planned 2 pilots in order to address the uncertainties surrounding the planning of a larger definitive trial and allow adequate engagement and building of a meaningful traditional medicine component. These pilots will inform the development of a co-designed, feasible, and embraced Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) skills training and traditional teachings intervention, which is adequately powered to examine effectiveness on outcomes such as mental wellness, medication adherence, and improved glycemic control and renal function. Research Aims: 1. Determine the recruitment, enrollment and adherence rates to the intervention. 2. Evaluate acceptability of the intervention using traditional qualitative methods and Indigenous world view methodology 3. Determine the estimated effect size required to power a large-scale DBT randomized control trial for the outcomes quality of life (primary), glycemic control and albuminuria (secondary). Study Hypotheses: 1. The investigators hypothesize that a DBT intervention will be feasible on a local and National Platform and will be acceptable and embraced by youth with T2D as an important component of their management plan. 2. The investigators hypothesize that the additional of traditional medicine elements will increase the acceptability and adherence to DBT for Indigenous children.