Published: 20 July, 2026 For many people, diabetes is as much an emotional challenge as it is a physical one. Alongside the daily demands of monitoring blood glucose levels, taking medications and making lifestyle adjustments, people with diabetes may experience diabetes distress, anxiety, depression, fear of hypoglycaemia and feelings of overwhelm. Yet emotional wellbeing can be overlooked during routine consultations. Health professionals play a critical role in recognising and addressing these challenges and helping people access the support they need. Guidelines recommend making conversations about emotional health a routine part of diabetes care, particularly at diagnosis, during care planning appointments, and when signs of emotional distress are evident. The 7As model A practical way to approach emotional health discussions is through the 7As model: be Aware, Ask, Assess, Advise, Assist, Assign and Arrange follow-up care. This framework provides a structured approach to identifying emotional health concerns, understanding their impact on diabetes management and connecting people with appropriate support. But for busy clinical settings, a streamlined version (Aware, Ask, Assist) can make these conversations easier to incorporate into routine care. Aware – recognise emotional health concerns Ask – start the conversation Assist – connect people with support Aware and Ask Being aware of the emotional impact of diabetes creates opportunities to ask meaningful questions. Often, the first step is simply starting the conversation. This does not need to be complicated. Simple, empathetic statements such as, “Managing diabetes every day can make life more challenging” or “Sometimes living with diabetes can feel stressful” can help normalise emotional responses and create a safe environment for discussion. Open-ended questions can then encourage people to share their experiences and concerns. Questions such as, “How have you been feeling about managing your diabetes recently?” or “How do you feel about the support you’re receiving from your healthcare team in managing your diabetes?” can provide valuable insight into a person’s emotional wellbeing and self-management capacity. It is also important to be alert to signs that someone may be struggling emotionally. Missed appointments, unstable glucose levels, skipping medications, changes in eating patterns or difficulty engaging with self-management tasks may indicate underlying emotional or mental health concerns. Recognising these signs early provides an opportunity to offer support before issues begin to affect health outcomes and quality of life. Assist Once concerns have been identified, the next step is helping people access appropriate support. This may include providing practical strategies, referring to a mental health professional, or connecting individuals with additional diabetes-specific resources. One valuable and often underutilised form of support is peer connection. Peer support While peer support is not a substitute for clinical care, it can complement the work of healthcare teams by helping people with diabetes and their carers connect with others who understand the realities of living with the condition. Peer support can reduce feelings of isolation, build confidence and provide practical strategies for managing day-to-day challenges. Research and lived experience consistently demonstrate the value of shared understanding. Leigh Sargeant, whose son Brodie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 15, has spoken about the reassurance she gained from connecting with others who had firsthand experience with diabetes. Those conversations helped her family adapt to life with the condition and reinforced that they were not alone in navigating its challenges. Peer support can take many forms, including face-to-face support groups, online communities, discussion forums, podcasts, education programs and informal one-on-one connections. Different people will have different preferences, and support should be tailored to individual needs, circumstances and diabetes goals. The NDSS offers a range of opportunities for people living with diabetes to connect with others, including local support groups, online communities and evidence-based education programs. Programs such as DESMOND and Beat It not only provide education and self-management support but also create opportunities for participants to learn alongside others with shared experiences. Complexity of living with diabetes Equally important is reassuring people that emotional challenges are common and understandable. Experiencing diabetes distress or mental health concerns does not represent a failure. Rather, it reflects the ongoing complexity of living with a chronic condition. Acknowledging these experiences can help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. The NDSS Looking after your mind webpages offer practical information, tools and support to help people with diabetes manage their emotional wellbeing, and to know when to seek professional support. Practical resources Health professionals looking to build their confidence can access the NDSS Emotional Health Resource Hub, which includes practical resources, validated questionnaires and condition-specific toolkits covering diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycaemia, depression, anxiety, eating problems and psychological barriers to insulin use. Ultimately, supporting emotional health should be viewed as a core component of diabetes care. By routinely checking in on how people are coping emotionally, not just clinically, health professionals can improve engagement and overall wellbeing. Small, meaningful conversations can make a significant difference, helping people feel supported and better equipped to live well with diabetes.
