Learn more about what diabetes distress is, and how our team can help, with the innovative new LISTEN program.
We hear a lot about the physical side of diabetes – from counting carbs to the importance of eye checks. But we don’t hear as much about the emotional burden that can accompany living with the condition.
Mental health challenges affect half of people living with diabetes, and one in three people living with diabetes may experience diabetes distress, so if this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Managing diabetes requires so many extra decisions and tasks every day, such as taking medication and monitoring glucose levels, which can add up to an intense mental load. It’s common for people living with diabetes to feel frustrated, pressured or annoyed from time to time.
When these feelings and the daily demands of managing diabetes become overwhelming, this is described as diabetes distress.
What are signs of diabetes distress?
- Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of living with diabetes.
- Feeling concerned that you’re ‘failing’ with diabetes management.
- Worrying about the risks of long-term complications.
- Frustration that you can’t control your diabetes from one day to the next.
- Feeling guilty when diabetes management falls off course.
It’ s normal to feel like this sometimes. However, if these emotions are starting to impact your relationships, family, work, school or diabetes management, it may be time to seek help.
Diabetes distress may lead to you feeling less engaged in managing your diabetes, such as taking medication regularly and on time, eating the right foods and getting enough exercise.
Over time, ongoing diabetes distress can sometimes lead to ‘diabetes burnout,’ where a person feels emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed by the demands of their diabetes and taking a break can seem like the only way to cope.
The LISTEN project
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of living with diabetes, a new Telehealth program, LISTEN, is here to help.
Developed by the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), LISTEN uses Problem-Solving Therapy – a practical, structured approach delivered by a qualified diabetes health professional. It stands for Low Intensity mental health Support via Telehealth Enabled Network.
- Access up to four sessions, lasting 45–60 minutes each.
- The program is delivered via phone or video call by a credentialled diabetes educator.
- You choose the challenge to focus on and set your own goals.
- Provides diabetes-specific emotional and problem-solving support
Here at Diabetes WA, several members of our health team have recently completed training and can now deliver the program.
Sessions are delivered via telehealth by trained diabetes health professionals and use problem-solving strategies to enhance healthy coping skills.
People who have completed the program reported feeling significant relief from diabetes distress at eight weeks and six months, meaning there are both immediate and longer-term benefits.
Other positive outcomes included improved mental health and wellbeing, strengthened coping skills for daily diabetes challenges, increased engagement in healthy eating and physical activity, increased contact with health professionals and feeling more comfortable talking about their concerns with their health professionals.
How to book
You do not need a referral to book the LISTEN program, and there is no cost! Simply complete a short online survey to check the LISTEN program is right for you, and our team will reach out to go through the next steps.
If you would like to ask any questions about the program, you can also call the Diabetes WA Helpline on 1300 001 880 or email us at LISTEN@diabeteswa.com.au
LISTEN is funded by the WA government and developed by the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), a partnership between Deakin University and Diabetes Victoria.
