Last week (10th-16th May) was European Mental Health Week, an initiative launched last year by Mental Health Europe to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. IDF Europe was proud to support European Mental Health Week this year to discuss the various ways in which diabetes can affect one’s mental health and important tips and tricks on how to alleviate this burden (with help from our YOURAH network!)
Diabetes Burnout
Click the image below to learn more about diabetes burnout and how peer support can help people living with diabetes to feel supported and understood when struggling with the demands of their condition.
Fear of Hypoglycaemia
Click the image below to read about how fear of hypoglycaemia can affect people living with diabetes’ quality of life, and mental health in particular. IDF Europe calls for adequate psychological care and training for healthcare professionals to be a core component of diabetes care across Europe to help people living with diabetes who may be struggling with fear of hypoglycaemia.
Body Image
Click the image below to read about how better general education and awareness can indirectly help people living with diabetes who may be struggling with body image issues due to social pressures and discrimination.
Stress and Anxiety
Click the image below to learn how the right physical activity can alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety for people living with diabetes.
Depression
Click the image below to learn more about the link between chronic conditions, such as diabetes, and depression. We recommend that you seek advice from a qualified medical professional if the symptoms of depression persist for longer than two weeks.
While we understand that, often, there are no ‘quick fix’ solutions to many mental health problems, we hope that this campaign helped raise awareness about the various ways in which living with diabetes can impact one’s mental health.
