Mental Health
Living with IBD can affect more than the digestive system.
Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can affect emotional as well as physical health. Anxiety, depression, stress and adjustment difficulties can arise from chronic symptoms, uncertainty and the impact of IBD on daily life. The CHUM IBD Centre’s Mental Health service in Montreal provides integrated, evidence-based psychological support for people living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These services are provided at no cost to CHUM IBD Centre patients.
Whether you are coping with a new diagnosis, ongoing symptoms, treatment decisions, flares or other life changes, our team can help support your emotional wellbeing and quality of life.
FAQ
At the CHUM IBD Centre, we recognize that mental wellbeing is an essential part of comprehensive IBD care.
Why is mental health important in IBD care?
Living with IBD affects the body—but it also means sometimes navigating intense and difficult emotions. The brain and the gut are closely connected and in constant communication, which is known as the brain-gut axis. Stress and emotions can influence digestive function and increase IBD symptoms. Conversely, digestive symptoms can cause anxiety, affect mood and impact psychological wellbeing. Our Mental Health services offer psychological support tailored to people living with IBD.
Who can access Mental Health services?
Mental Health services are available to current CHUM IBD Centre patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Referrals may be made by your gastroenterologist, nurse or other CHUM IBD Centre team members.
What types of concerns can be addressed?
Common concerns include anxiety, depression, stress, coping with flares, adjustment to diagnosis, body image issues, fatigue, sleep problems, health-related fears, taking medication, surgery and the emotional impact of living with a chronic illness.
What types of interventions are offered?
Support may include evidence-based psychotherapy tailored to IBD-related challenges, including emotional recognition and validation, cognitive-behavioural techniques, stress-management strategies and coping-skills training. These approaches aim to support adjustment to illness and improve overall wellbeing.
Will mental healthcare be coordinated with my IBD team?
Yes. Mental healthcare providers work closely with your gastroenterology team to ensure care is integrated and aligned with your medical treatment plan.
Do I need a mental health diagnosis to be referred?
No. You do not need a formal diagnosis. Many patients seek support to better cope with symptoms, uncertainty or the emotional burden of IBD.
How often will I have appointments?
Visit frequency is on an individualized basis depending on your needs and goals. It may range from short-term focused support to medium-term psychotherapy.
Can mental health treatment improve my IBD?
While therapy does not directly treat inflammation, improving mental health can reduce stress, enhance coping, improve treatment adherence, and positively influence quality of life and symptom perception.
How do I access Mental Health services?
Current CHUM IBD Centre patients can access Mental Health services through their care team.
Need immediate support?
Contact the Suicide Prevention Centre at 1-866-277-3553 (1-866-APPELLE) or Tel-Aide at 1-877-700-2433.
Living with IBD can affect emotional wellbeing as well as physical health. Psychological support can help patients cope with the challenges of chronic illness and improve quality of life.