Diabetes UK has introduced a new tool for healthcare professionals to support people with diabetes who may be feeling emotionally low or depressed. The Mood Information Prescription helps generate a structured conversation between a healthcare professional and a person with diabetes who may be experiencing anxiety. The one-page document aims to enable a person with diabetes to talk about how they feel, manage their diabetes well and find practical ways to feel more positive about living with their condition.
Depression is twice as common in people with diabetes, yet less than one in four people with diabetes have access to appropriate emotional and psychological support. Depression may be triggered by the impact of being newly diagnosed with diabetes, the daily responsibility of managing the condition and/or the fear of complications caused by diabetes.
The Diabetes and Mood Information Prescription has been developed in collaboration with people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and Health Care Professionals including psychologists and a psychiatrist.