Lean ON ME
Give your self-management, self-confidence and social network a healthy boost by plugging into a diabetes
support group
Connection. We all need it in order to thrive, feel less alone and cope with whatever curve balls life throws our way. But if you’re facing the daily challenges of diabetes, sometimes you need more backup than just your nearest and dearest.
Enter diabetes support groups. Offered online through organisations like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and held in hospitals, community centres and regional branches of Diabetes Australia, these groups provide education, advice and day-today management tips from experts. “Support groups are designed to connect people who have diabetes with health services, which in the case of our new group, is Wollondilly Community Health Centre and Campbelltown Hospital,” says Professor David Simmons, an endocrinologist at Campbelltown Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Western Sydney University.
Importantly, they also connect you with others who are living with diabetes. “Many people who have diabetes rarely talk about their illness and some have never talked to anyone else with diabetes, which can be very isolating,” says Prof. Simmons. “Peer support groups can reduce that isolation by offering the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, emotions and solutions with other people who are living with the same condition.”
And the benefits don’t stop there – according to Diabetes Victoria, people who attend diabetes support groups show less stress and symptoms of depression and have fewer diabetes complications. “Some also report that their quality of life has improved because of the friendships and support they receive from people within their support group,” says Craig Bennett, CEO of Diabetes Victoria. Win-win!
Read on as three people share how joining a diabetes support group has boosted their day-to-day management, their health and their happiness. It could be you.
Peer support groups
share knowledge,
EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONS