UKidney Psychosocial Resources

A comprehensive collection of research articles, community resources, and support materials for social workers, healthcare professionals, and individuals affected by kidney disease. These resources cover psychosocial aspects, mental health, caregiver support, and culturally-specific information to help provide holistic care and support.

Updated: Dec 2025

Psychosocial Research

Psychosocial Research Article
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Financial Burden of CKD
bcrenal.ca
Depression and Anxiety Resource
ontariorenalnetwork.ca Covers depression and anxiety
Ontario Renal Plan
ontariorenalnetwork.ca
CKD and Mental Health Webinar
kidney.ca Depression and anxiety are very common with CKD
Psychosocial interventions for preventing and treating depression in dialysis patients
Natale P, Palmer SC, Ruospo M, Saglimbene VM, Rabindranath KS, Strippoli GF. Psychosocial interventions for preventing and treating depression in dialysis patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Dec 2;12(12):CD004542. PMID: 31789430; PMCID: PMC6886341.
A comparative study of psychosocial determinants and mental well-being in chronic kidney disease patients: A closer look
Khan, W., Ali, S., Prasad, S., Deshpande, A., Khanam, S., & Ray, D. (2019). A comparative study of psychosocial determinants and mental well-being in chronic kidney disease patients: A closer look. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 28(1), 63–67.
Antidepressants for treating depression in adults with end‐stage kidney disease treated with dialysis
Palmer, S. C., Natale, P., Ruospo, M., Saglimbene, V. M., Rabindranath, K. S., Craig, J. C., Strippoli, G. F., & Strippoli, G. F. (2016). Antidepressants for treating depression in adults with end‐stage kidney disease treated with dialysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016(5), CD004541–CD004541.
Mental Health Care for Adults Treated With Dialysis in Canada: A Scoping Review
Fernandez, L., Thompson, S., Berendonk, C., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2022). Mental Health Care for Adults Treated With Dialysis in Canada: A Scoping Review. Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease, 9, 20543581221086330–20543581221086330.
A trauma-informed care model: Addressing adverse childhood experiences in patients with endstage kidney disease
Breckenridge, L. (2022). A trauma-informed care model: Addressing adverse childhood experiences in patients with endstage kidney disease. The Journal of Nephrology Social Work, 46(1), 16–26.
Advance Care Planning for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Sas, C. (2017). Advance Care Planning for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease. Health & social work, 43(1), 63-66.
The Psychosocial Evaluation Is an Essential Part of the Pretransplant Workup for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Social Worker's Perspective
Sas, C. (2019). The Psychosocial Evaluation Is an Essential Part of the Pretransplant Workup for Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Social Worker's Perspective. Health & social work, 44(3), 208-211.
Kidney Foundation Resource
kidney.org Added by Hannah

Community Resources

Dialysis Management Clinics - Patient Resources
dialysismanagementclinics.ca
Bridletowne Neighbourhood Centre
unitedwaygt.org
Kidney Foundation of Canada
kidney.ca
Living with Reduced Kidney Function (6th edition)
kidney.ca
Support Engagement Groups
kidney.ca
Recommended Resources for Patients & Families
ontariorenalnetwork.ca Includes resources for kidney disease and pregnancy; mental health concerns; explains HD and PD clearly. Includes information for Indigenous & Metis peoples
Community Resources Guide
guides.hsict.library.utoronto.ca
Coping Effectively - Guide for Patients and Families
kidney.org
BC Renal
bcrenal.ca
Adjusting & Coping
lhsc.on.ca
Psychological Impact
psychonephrology.com
Kidney Connect Coffee Club
lakeridgehealth.on.ca
Living with Kidney Disease
kidneyhealth.ca
Mental Wellbeing Index
kidneywellnesshub.ca
Kidney Wellness Hub
kidneywellnesshub.ca
Chronic Kidney Disease Mental Health
healthline.com

Resources for Caregivers

Caregiver Tabloid 2023
kidney.ca
Caregiver Resources
kidney.org
Supporting a Loved One
lhsc.on.ca
Online Discussion Forum
kidney.ca
A Caregiver's Wish List
aakp.org
10 Tips for Supporting Your Loved One on Dialysis
onetrackhealth.com
Caregiver Support Groups
unityhealth.to
Caregiver Support
bcrenal.ca
Stories for Caregivers - Resources
storiesforcaregivers.com

Race/Ethnicity/Indigenous: Research

Parekh, Jeffrey Perl, Bourne Auguste and Manish M
Rulan S. Parekh, Jeffrey Perl, Bourne Auguste and Manish M. Sood CMAJ March 21, 2022 194 (11) E421-E423;
Black Canadians' Chances of Getting Kidney Transplant
thestar.com
Erdmann R, Morrin L, Harvey R, Joya L, Clifford A, Soroka S
Erdmann R, Morrin L, Harvey R, Joya L, Clifford A, Soroka S. Canadian Senior Renal Leaders Community of Practice: Vulnerable Populations With Chronic Kidney Disease—Evidence to Inform Policy. Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease. 2020;7.
Danielle M
Danielle M. Nash, Jade S. Dirk, Eric McArthur, Michael E. Green, Baiju R. Shah, Jennifer D. Walker, Mary Beaucage, Carmen R. Jones and Amit X. Garg December 10, 2019 7 (4) E706-E712;
CIHI Publication
publications.gc.ca
Addressing Inequities in Kidney Care for Indigenous People in Canada
Harasemiw, Oksana; Komenda, Paul; Tangri, Navdeep. Addressing Inequities in Kidney Care for Indigenous People in Canada. JASN 33(8):p 1474-1476, August 2022.
Transforming Kidney Care with Remote Indigenous Communities
advancinghealth.ubc.ca
Adapting wellbeing research tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic kidney disease
Nagel, T., Sweet, M., Dingwall, K.M. et al. Adapting wellbeing research tools for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic kidney disease. BMC Nephrol 21, 130 (2020).
Exploring the motives of Israeli Jews who were living kidney donors to strangers
Kurleto P, Skorupska-Król A, Broniatowska E, Bramstedt KA. Exploring the motives of Israeli Jews who were living kidney donors to strangers. Clin Transplant. 2020 Oct;34(10):e14034. Epub 2020 Aug 6. PMID: 32652718.
The Racial Inequities of Kidney Disease
publichealth.jhu.edu
What's Behind Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease
health.harvard.edu
Racial and ethnic differences in kidney function decline among persons without chronic kidney disease
Peralta CA, Katz R, DeBoer I, Ix J, Sarnak M, Kramer H, Siscovick D, Shea S, Szklo M, Shlipak M. Racial and ethnic differences in kidney function decline among persons without chronic kidney disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Jul;22(7):1327-34. Epub 2011 Jun 23. PMID: 21700831; PMCID: PMC3137580.
Nzerue CM, Demissochew H, Tucker JK
Nzerue CM, Demissochew H, Tucker JK. Race and kidney disease: role of social and environmental factors. J Natl Med Assoc. 2002 Aug;94(8 Suppl):28S-38S. PMID: 12152910; PMCID: PMC2594163.

Race/Ethnicity: Community Resources

First Nations, Inuit, Metis Resources
ontariorenalnetwork.ca
Indigenous Health
bcrenal.ca
Indigenous Initiatives
cansolveckd.ca
Indigenous Health and Wellness
lhsc.on.ca
Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy
ontario.ca
Black Kidney Association for Research & Education
pdempowers.com
Black Health NY
kidney.org
Reminders for Ramadan
kidneycommunitykitchen.ca
Muslim Kidney Action Committee
mkac.sg
Transplantation & Donation Resources
nefros.net Available in multiple languages
Cultural Projects Brochure
nefros.net
Islamic Brochure (English)
nefros.net Also available in Arabic, Bengali, Somali, and Urdu
Islam and Organ Donation
nefros.net
Hindu Dharma and Organ Donation
nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net Available in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Gujarati
CHE Project
nefros.net
Muslim Kidney Guide
nefros.net
Informate - English
informate.org
Spanish Resources
dpcedcenter.org
Translations Resource Library
kidney.org.au
Does Judaism Allow Organ Donations?
myjewishlearning.com

2SLGBTQIA+ Research

Impact of Unequal Care for LGBTQ Kidney Patients
kidney.org
Prevalence of Self-Reported Kidney Disease in Older Adults by Sexual Orientation: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Analysis (2014-2019)
Chandra M, Hertel M, Cahill S, Sakaguchi K, Khanna S, Mitra S, Luke J, Khau M, Mirabella J, Cropper A. Prevalence of Self-Reported Kidney Disease in Older Adults by Sexual Orientation: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Analysis (2014-2019). J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023 Apr 1;34(4):682-693. Epub 2023 Jan 21. PMID: 36735807; PMCID: PMC10103302.
Advancing Equity in Nephrology: Enhancing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients and Our Workforce
Mohottige D, Lunn MR. Advancing Equity in Nephrology: Enhancing Care for LGBTQ+ Patients and Our Workforce. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 Jul 5;14(7):1094-1096. Epub 2019 May 22. PMID: 31118212; PMCID: PMC6625618.
Renal Considerations in Transgender and Gender Diverse People
mayoclinic.org

UKidney Contributor

Courtney Sas

Courtney Sas is a clinical social worker at a University of Toronto affiliated hospital. She has a Masters in Bioethics and is an adjunct lecturer at the U of T Faculty of Social Work.