DIABETES ACTION MONTH 2020

LOVE DON'T JUDGE. 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.

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.

WORLD DIABETES DAY: NURSES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

World Diabetes Day falls on Saturday 14 November, and Diabetes NZ will be celebrating the important work of diabetes nurses in Aotearoa.

Nurses play an important role in the care of everyone with diabetes in New Zealand. Whether offering education and advice for someone newly diagnosed, supporting diabetes management, or treating diabetes complications, nurses are there every step of the way.

“Nurses working in the diabetes field are passionate about improving the lives of people in their journey with diabetes and helping reduce distress in any way possible,” says Liz Dutton, Diabetes NZ Service Development Manager and Registered Nurse.

“If you have diabetes and are experiencing distress, please talk to your nurse. They are good listeners, and if they cannot help they may be able to refer you to someone else who can,” says Dutton.

Check out the calendar of events on the Diabetes NZ website to see what’s happening in your area this World Diabetes Day.

Wear a Mr Vintage ChariTEE

Mr Vintage has designed a ChariTEE for Diabetes Action Month 2020. The new Love Don’t Judge design features a heart on the sleeve, so you can show your support for Diabetes NZ by wearing your heart on your sleeve, too.

A number of well-known and influential New Zealanders will be the first to wear the new ChariTees in this year’s campaign video – check it out on the Diabetes NZ Facebook page and website!

This year’s awesome design will be available on hats, mugs, drink bottles, and jute bags as well as T-shirts. Check out the Mr Vintage website to order yours, with 25% of all sales going to support Diabetes NZ.

www.mrvintage.co.nz