The Omagh Diabetes UK Support Group is hosting a special meeting on Wednesday 24 October at Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh from 7-9pm. The theme for this meeting is the impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing of those living with diabetes.
Clinical Psychologist, Dr Mark Davies from the Belfast Trust, will be the guest speaker on the evening and will talk about diabetes-related distress and depression.
At least four in ten people with diabetes experience emotional or psychological problems such as depression, anxiety and diabetes-related emotional distress or burnout. The Omagh Diabetes UK Support Group is providing this information night, free of charge, in addition to their scheduled programme due to the interest in this topic.
Diabetes burnout can make people feel a number of ways, such as feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated to make changes. It can also make people with this long-term health condition feel alone and worried.
Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Volunteer Development Manager, Arlene Creighton, said, ‘It is really important to talk about all aspects of diabetes and often, the mental health and emotional wellbeing aspect of the condition can be ignored. We want to help raise awareness so that people know that they are not alone, when trying to get to grips with diabetes.
‘Diabetes is hard work; it demands attention and daily management. There are going to be days that we can do it and other days that it just seems out of our grasp. Meetings like this will help us know more about diabetes so we can continue get the support and information we need and fight the aspects of diabetes that we can.’
This free event takes place on Wednesday 24 October from 7-9pm. For more information about the event then please contact 028 9066 6646 or NIvolunteering@diabetes.org.uk.
If you are worried about your diabetes you can contact the Diabetes UK Helpline.
