New ACBRD study explores what helps people with diabetes feel emotionally strong and supported
People with diabetes often face emotional challenges such as diabetes distress, depression and anxiety. But what helps them feel emotionally well and cope with the ups and downs of living with and managing diabetes?
That’s the question researchers at the ACBRD set out to answer in a new study published in Diabetic Medicine. The study explored what helps adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes feel well emotionally. The study also explored how we can offer mental health support that’s easier to access and tailored to the person’s needs.
This research is part of the MIND-MAP (Mental health IN Diabetes – Monitoring and Pathways) project, one of Australia’s largest national studies focused on mental health and diabetes.
What did the study involve?
We spoke to 32 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes across Victoria. Through interviews, we asked them what ‘mental health’ means to them. We also asked what support is important and how would they like to access this.
What did the study show?
The study found that participants want practical, respectful and timely support. That support could come from family and friends, diabetes health professionals or diabetes organisations.
Key features of helpful support included:
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- A safe space to talk openly
- Positive, respectful support from diabetes health professionals
- Access to support that felt tailored to their needs
- Practical help managing life with diabetes
- Connections with peers with diabetes who understand the emotional ups and downs
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As one participant explained:
“It’s nice when people just check in. It’s not about fixing anything, just feeling heard and seen.”
People described emotional wellbeing as something they could build over time, with the right tools, relationships and help.
What do people with diabetes want, and what can we do about it?
This research clearly shows that mental health is not a ‘nice to have’. It’s a key part of living well with diabetes. People want practical, personalised, and stigma-free support.
So how can the system respond?
This study suggests eight actions to make mental health support more accessible and meaningful for people with diabetes:
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- Integrate mental health and diabetes care
Support models that bring mental health and diabetes services together to meet people’s needs holistically.
- Integrate mental health and diabetes care
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- Upskill health professionals
Train diabetes health professionals to respond to emotional challenges with empathy. Mental health professionals to understand the realities of living with diabetes.
- Upskill health professionals
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- Measure what matters
Include regular check-ins on emotional wellbeing in routine diabetes care. Use tools that highlight strengths, not just challenges.
- Measure what matters
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- Make environments more supportive
Schools, workplaces and social spaces should have the tools and training to reduce stigma and support people with diabetes.
- Make environments more supportive
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- Harness the power of peers and digital tools
Peer-led programs and trusted online resources can offer real-time, relatable support.
- Harness the power of peers and digital tools
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- Tackle stigma
Raise awareness to challenge harmful assumptions about diabetes and mental health.
- Tackle stigma
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- Start early
Embed mental health support from the point of diagnosis to help people build resilience and avoid crisis points.
- Start early
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- Improve access and affordability
Policy changes at all levels are needed to ensure mental health support is available and affordable for everyone with diabetes.
- Improve access and affordability
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Together, these actions can help shift the system from asking “What’s wrong?” to “What’s strong?” and in doing so recognising the strengths and resilience that many people with diabetes already have.
To read more about our work, check out our previous blogs exploring mental health in diabetes and diabetes distress.
Reference:
Roberson N, Holmes‐Truscott E, Skinner TC, Halliday J, Hines C, Speight J, Holloway EE. Shifting the narrative from ‘what’s wrong?’to ‘what’s strong?’MIND‐MAP: A qualitative study exploring positive mental health and support needs of adults with diabetes. Diabetic Medicine. 2026:e70273.
