Published: 13 July, 2026 National Diabetes Week (12–18 July) is Australia’s most important annual moment to raise awareness of diabetes and stand with the 2 million Australians living with the condition. This year’s campaign, Living Out Loud, invites people across the diabetes community to share the one thing they’ve always wished others knew, under the theme Stronger Together. For the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), that wish is about visibility. Not just of the people living with diabetes, but of the support that exists for them because managing diabetes well doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens within a system of healthcare professionals, community, family, technology, and services that some may not realise are available to them. The NDSS is one important part of that system, and this National Diabetes Week, we’re shining a light on three areas of support that we wish more people knew about. Discover support that grows with you Youth Zone Diabetes doesn’t stay the same, and neither does the support you need. For young people and families, the years after a diagnosis can involve navigating school, relationships, independence, study, and work. All while managing a condition that never takes a day off. The NDSS Youth Zone is designed specifically for this stage of life. It’s a dedicated online space for children, teenagers, and young adults living with diabetes. It offers age-appropriate information, practical tools, and resources that speak to the real experiences of growing up with diabetes, from starting high school to entering the workforce, and everything in between. Healthy Ageing Hub As life continues to change, so do the challenges. For older Australians, managing diabetes alongside shifting health needs, medication, mobility, and daily routine brings its own considerations. Staying active, eating well, planning travel, managing sick days, and knowing when to seek additional support all contribute to an evolving picture. The NDSS Healthy Ageing Hub is built for this stage, offering practical information and resources to help older Australians continue to live well with diabetes, maintain their independence, and feel confident managing their condition as their needs change. The NDSS provides tailored resources for people at every stage of their diabetes journey. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, raising a child with diabetes, or managing it well into later life, the support available is designed to meet you where you are. Find tools to look after your mind Living with diabetes is demanding. The daily decisions, constant monitoring, and mental load of managing a condition that never switches off all add up. For many people, that weight isn’t just physical. It is completely normal to find diabetes emotionally challenging. Diabetes distress, burnout, anxiety, and low mood are common experiences within the diabetes community, and they deserve to be taken just as seriously as any other aspect of diabetes management. Emotional health isn’t separate from living well with diabetes. It’s part of it. The NDSS Looking After Your Mind Hub offers free tools, resources, and support pathways to help people understand and care for their emotional wellbeing. Whether you’re looking for information, practical strategies, or a starting point for getting further support, it’s a space designed for the emotional realities of life with diabetes. Get support in your language Understanding your diabetes clearly, accurately, and confidently is fundamental to managing it well, but for many Australians, accessing that information in English can be a barrier. Language should never stand between a person and the support they need. Families, communities and individuals navigating diabetes deserve to access information in the language they’re most comfortable with. Whether that’s for themselves or to help someone they care for better understand their condition. The NDSS Language Hub provides diabetes resources, fact sheets, and support materials in over 26 languages, making it easier for more Australians to access the information that matters. The NDSS is here for more than you think Managing diabetes well often requires different types of support at different times. The NDSS is more than a product access program. It’s a trusted, ongoing source of information, tools, and resources that can help people navigate whatever their diabetes journey looks like right now. The services highlighted here are just a starting point. No matter what support you’re looking for, the NDSS has resources designed to help. We encourage you to explore what’s available, share these resources with someone who might benefit, or contact the NDSS helpline on 1800 637 700 to find out more.
