Seven out of ten people with diabetes feel overwhelmed by the demands of their condition, significantly affecting their mental and physical health.

That’s why we’re calling for new national standards for diabetes emotional and mental health support, and to increase support available locally in Ayrshire to over 24,000 people living with diabetes.

So as part of Diabetes UK’s Diabetes Week (June 10 – 16) we’re urging people in Ayrshire to #SeeDiabetesDifferently and back our campaign for national standards for diabetes mental health support and services.

Our recently published research revealed that the relentless nature of diabetes can impact people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health, ranging from day-to-day frustration and low mood, to specific psychological and mental health difficulties such as clinical depression and anxiety.

The findings, published in the report “Too often missing: Making emotional and psychological support routine in diabetes care”, show that diabetes is much more than a physical condition – and that emotional and psychological demands of living with diabetes should be recognised, and support provided to everyone who needs it.

Diabetes Scotland is urgently calling on the NHS to create national standards for diabetes emotional and mental health services. These should ensure that everyone receives joined up care, that they are asked how they are feeling as part of every diabetes appointment, and that a mental health professional with knowledge of diabetes is part of every diabetes care team.

To sign our petition, go to www.diabetes.org.uk/missing

Thank you

Angela Mitchell

National Director

Diabetes Scotland

The Venlaw

349 Bath Street

Glasgow

G2 4AA