February 4, 2026

New resource supports emotional well-being for people on dialysis

A new online resource is now available to help support the emotional well-being of people receiving dialysis. The tool offers a step-by-step guide to help people recognize emotional challenges and access appropriate support and care.  

Living with dialysis can take a toll on mental and emotional health. Many people experience feelings that can be difficult to cope with, such as anxiety, stress, and depression. However, there are still few resources designed specifically to help dialysis patients navigate this part of their health journey. 

The Mind the Gap research team, based in Alberta, originally developed a clinical pathway — a tool used by healthcare providers to assess dialysis patients’ mental health concerns and recommend next steps for care. Community Advisors (people with lived experience of dialysis who provide guidance on research projects) recognized that a similar tool could also be helpful for patients and caregivers. 

In a recent article published in the Patient Experience Journal, University of Alberta graduate student Alexandra Albers, the Community Advisors, and colleagues describe how they worked together to create a patient-friendly version of the pathway. The result is a free online tool called “Your Journey: Coping With and Adjusting to Dialysis,” designed to help people better understand their emotional well-being and find supports that may help. 

The Community Advisors worked to ensure the tool uses clear, accessible language for people with different health literacy levels, while also helping reduce stigma around mental health. 

The tool is available for free on the MyHealth.Alberta.ca website.