Parliament event to bring together mental health and diabetes

An event to encourage the government to pledge better support for people with diabetes who have mental health problems is to be delivered later this month.
The parliament event, which is taking place on Tuesday 14 May, will mark the link between both conditions and help launch a report compiled by Diabetes UK highlighting the need for improved mental health care for those with diabetes.
Government ministers, the NHS, local decision-makers, healthcare professionals, and people affected by diabetes will all come together in a bid to ensure mental health and diabetes are made a priority nationally.
People with diabetes and other long-term conditions are known to be two to three times more likely to experience some form of mental health issue. It is because of this that Diabetes UK has made raising awareness of the association between mental health and diabetes a priority.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “People with diabetes deserve care that sees and supports the whole person, based on their personal needs, experiences and circumstances.
“Everyone affected by diabetes must have access to the support they need, when they need it, to help improve both their mental and physical health, and ultimately, their quality of life.”
More than 60% of MPs agree that those who have diabetes should be provided with mental health support in a bid to help them better manage their other health conditions.
If you have diabetes and have been recently diagnosed and wish to chat with others with diabetes who understand, there is peer-support available on the Diabetes Forum.