A community-academic partnership to adapt a curriculum for people with serious mental illnesses and diabetes

Background: Individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) represent a high-risk health disparities population disproportionately affected by diabetes and obesity. Objectives: This paper describes a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to adapting a well-known evidence-based behavioral change protocol, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention, for individuals with diabetes and SMI in the community setting. Methods: A committee composed of university researchers and representatives from the recovery community modified the DPP following three criteria: Person centeredness, practicality, and empowerment. Lessons Learned: Major modifications to the DPP were made in light of barriers and challenges faced by individuals with diabetes and SMI. Conclusions: The adaptations made to the DPP, and the process through which the modifications were made, may be used by physicians, mental health practitioners, and health educators to engage individuals confronting self-management of diabetes and mental illness.