Your Diabetes NZ
DIABETES ACTION MONTH 2020
Kei whakawā. Me aroha. Running from 1 to 30 November, Diabetes Action Month is an annual awareness campaign that aims to encourage all Kiwis to take action when it comes to diabetes. This year’s theme is Love Don’t Judge, which is all about the kindness and care needed to support everyone living with diabetes to live well. “We believe Love Don’t Judge is a relevant message for 2020, a year that has challenged all Kiwis, and we know it’s been especially tough for our diabetes community,” says Heather Verry, CEO of Diabetes NZ. Together with our branches, sponsors, supporters, and partners, we will be educating, supporting, and encouraging Kiwis to be kinder this Diabetes Action Month. From changing the way we think and speak about diabetes to being aware of how diabetes affects emotional and mental health, everyone can take action.
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Summer 2020
DIABETES AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING As part of this year’s Diabetes Action Month, we’re raising awareness about the many ways living with diabetes can affect mental and emotional health. It’s estimated people with diabetes face up to 170 diabetes-related decisions every day which can really take its toll over time. The relentless nature of managing diabetes and the stress and worry this causes can lead to emotional or mental health conditions such as diabetes burnout, diabetes distress, depression, or anxiety. • Diabetes distress is the emotional burden of living with and managing diabetes, including feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, guilty, or worried about diabetes. • Diabetes burnout is when you feel emotionally exhausted by the demands of diabetes, then try to cope by giving up on taking care of diabetes. • Depression is a mental illness where you feel sad and miserable most of the time, and your mood is persistently very low. • Anxiety is a normal response to a stressful or difficult event in your life, but when these feelings become overwhelming or interfere with everyday life you may have an anxiety disorder. A new resource on helping and supporting emotional wellbeing with diabetes will be available in November at the Diabetes NZ website.
JOIN THE KŌRERO This Diabetes Action Month, we’re starting a new conversation about the emotional burden of diabetes. You’re invited to join our Facebook Live sessions on the Diabetes NZ Facebook page, where you can ask experts your questions about diabetes distress, burnout, and how to look after your emotional and mental health.
