Course overview:
The Diabetes & Wellbeing Course is for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who may struggle with low mood, anxiety, or stress from managing their diabetes. This course combines support for both mental and physical health to help you feel more in control. The course runs for four sessions, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes, and takes place once a week.
Course objectives:
The aim of this course is to help you understand the link between diabetes and mental health. It will give you tools to manage common feelings, like stress about blood sugar levels and diabetes burnout, so you can take care of both your mind and body.
What does the course cover?
In session 1, you’ll learn how diabetes can affect your mental health. This session covers how blood sugar changes (like low or high blood sugar) can impact how you feel and offers ways to manage worry about these changes.
In session 2 you will learn about diabetes burnout. This can happen when managing diabetes feels too hard. A Diabetes Specialist Nurse will teach ways to cope with both the physical and emotional tiredness that can come with diabetes.
In session 3, you’ll learn skills to handle worry and challenge difficult thoughts. This session will help you manage the mental stress that can come with living with diabetes.
In the final session, you’ll review what you’ve learned and discuss ways to keep using these tools in daily life.
This course can help you better understand the connection between diabetes and mental health. You’ll learn ways to handle stress and worries related to blood sugar, which can improve your mood and wellbeing. You’ll also get tools to cope with “diabetes burnout” and manage tiredness from dealing with diabetes. Plus, you’ll learn simple techniques to manage worries and difficult thoughts. With support from a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, the course will address both your mental and physical health.
After the course, you’ll receive a one-to-one follow-up call to check in, receive feedback on the course, answer any questions you may have and discuss what next steps are appropriate to continue your progress and development.
What to expect?
This is a face-to-face course in small group, which helps keep it private and comfortable. Sessions take place at Thurrock Health Centre. Although sessions are conducted in a group setting, it’s not traditional group therapy. Each session includes group discussions, practical activities, and tasks to try between sessions. The course creates a comfortable and private environment for learning, where you can feel at ease while gaining new skills to manage your condition.
Next steps
After referring to the service through a self-referral or through your GP, you will have a gateway assessment, which will determine what therapy options are appropriate. Attending this group is subject to appropriateness and availability that can be discussed at the assessment.