Psychological support needed for people with diabetes

Your readers might be surprised to learn that depression is twice as common in people with diabetes than in the general population. Levels of anxiety and eating disorders are also significantly higher in people with diabetes.

Sadly, depression can limit the ability of people with diabetes to self-manage their condition and, in turn, poor diabetes control can lead to an increased risk of potentially life-changing complications such as blindness, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and amputation. By giving more people access to emotional support when they need it, we can help people get back on track with managing their diabetes well and reduce their risk of complications. This will also save the NHS budget from spend on potentially avoidable complications.

However, around three quarters of adults and children with diabetes do not have access to psychological services, and have not received emotional support when they have needed it. This must change. We know diabetes can be a really hard condition to manage and that many people say they need more understanding, even when they are not affected by depression. Access to emotional and psychological support is one of the 15 Healthcare Essentials that the 83,000 people with diabetes in Northern Ireland should have access to.

Diabetes UK is calling on all Clinical Commissioning Groups, the local bodies responsible for healthcare in their areas, to make sure they commission appropriate psychological support services to meet the needs of people with diabetes in their area.

It is crucial that people with diabetes who are affected by depression do not to suffer in silence. If you or someone you provide care to has diabetes and is affected by depression then contact our Careline on 0345 123 2399.

Yours faithfully, Laura Campbell Diabetes UK Media Manager, Northern Ireland