Managing patients with diabetic foot ulcers mandates coordinated input from multiple disciplines. Our practice has published previously on the value of a multidisciplinary team, incorporating skills from plastic surgery, vascular surgery, podiatry, rheumatology, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a single location.1 A relatively underdiscussed and poorly recognized component of the multidisciplinary team is mental health care through psychiatrists and psychosocial support. The effects of acute and chronic wound formation on a patient’s quality of life are well documented. Much of the literature comes from studies on trauma and burn survivors. In these fields, preexisting mental health conditions have been linked to higher rates of reoperation, longer hospital stays, and longer times to return to preinjury activity.2 More recently, validated surveys that assess emotional quality of life, such as the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, have been applied to the chronic wound populations.3 Patients with chronic leg ulcers have the highest rates of depression among patients with skin diseases and consistently report lower quality of life, worse physical functioning, and higher levels of pain.4 However, few studies comment on the critical role of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social support in the chronic wound population. In the chronic wound population, the interplay of mental health and wound-related outcomes is critical. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, require lifelong maintenance therapy and diligent monitoring for acute emergencies. Patients who have difficulty adapting to their intensive medically necessary care face higher disease burden and are at risk for experiencing the extremes of disease progression, such as limb loss. Research shows that patients with high mental illness burden often have difficulty adhering to medication schedules. Patients who are prescribed psychiatric medication take, on average, 58 to 65 percent of all prescribed medications.5 Patients with chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers are seen bimonthly to weekly by a team of specialized wound care physicians who are not trained to recognize or manage psychiatric disease. Adding psychiatry or behavioral psychology to the wound team provides critical services that allow for prompt identification of disease. Incorporating providers who are equipped to manage physical and mental aspects of care is essential to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. To accomplish this goal, all centers that provide care for patients with diabetic wounds can (1) incorporate a dedicated expert in mental health on their team, (2) consistently refer all diabetic wound patients who are exhibiting signs of mental health distress to a behavioral health specialist, (3) educate existing staff members on the role of mental health in wound healing, and (4) screen patients for depression and anxiety during all stages of care. There is abundant need for research into the relationship between successful chronic wound management and mental health support. More longitudinal analyses of the development of new or progression of preexisting psychiatric conditions as a consequence of chronic wound formation will help guide treatment of coexisting conditions. Quality trials also need to assess which behavioral or pharmacologic treatments yield the greatest benefit to wound healing and functional outcomes. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article.