Breakthrough T1D is observing Mental Health Awareness Month to increase understanding of the unique challenges that people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face every moment of every day and to call for more support for mental health issues in T1D.
A T1D diagnosis—whether for your child, yourself, or a family member—can impact more than your physical health. T1D’s presence in a family often affects people’s social, behavioral, and emotional well-being, known collectively as psychosocial health. These issues can affect people of all ages living with the disease. And mental health is a big part of that.
T1D and Mental Health
Statistics show that T1D management dramatically impacts quality of life, and that these issues can affect people of all ages living with T1D:
- Depression affects 1 in 4 people with diabetes
- 1/3 of adolescents with T1D develop diabetes distress, an emotional state where people experience feelings such as stress, guilt, or denial that arise from living with T1D and the burden of self-management
- The prevalence of a generalized anxiety disorder in people with diabetes is 3 times higher than in the general population
There are also anxieties exclusive to people with T1D, particularly Fear of Hypoglycemia (FoH). FoH is associated with substandard diabetes management and reduced health outcomes. Learn more about overcoming FoH.
Breakthrough T1D Behavioral Health and Psychology Program
Breakthrough T1D has been funding research in T1D and psychosocial health for more than three decades. Through the Breakthrough T1D Behavioral Health and Psychology Program, launched in 2018, we:
- Established the Breakthrough T1D Diabetes Psychology Fellowship, which is a combination of clinical diabetes care and diabetes research, and funded 22 fellows to date
- Support research initiatives to improve psychosocial health and outcomes for people with T1D
- Include psychosocial content in our Community Summits
- Provide resources to doctors on the association between T1D and psychosocial care
In the past five years alone, Breakthrough T1D has awarded 15 grants to support psychosocial research, exploring topics such as T1D and eating disorders, reducing disparities in at-risk youth, diabetes distress, and anxiety.
Mental Health Resources from Breakthrough T1D
Breakthrough T1D knows that each day may bring its own challenges, highs, and lows. We have online resources available to help you manage it all:
- Diabetes Stress Management: Developing Resilience
- The Power of Yoga and Meditation
- Tips for Better Sleep with T1D
- Type 1 Diabetes and Depression
- Dealing with Diabetes Distress
- Finding a Mental Health Professional
You Are Not Alone: The Breakthrough T1D Community of Support
Living with the burden of T1D can be overwhelming at times. But you’re never alone. The Breakthrough T1D community has your back.
- Our Community Forum gives you the opportunity to connect with people living with T1D all over the world.
- Whether you’re looking for support, a chance to volunteer, or ways to connect with others living with T1D, our Community Events Calendar has in-person and virtual options!
Through research, education, and support, Breakthrough T1D is working tirelessly to reduce the mental health impact of T1D and improve health outcomes for the entire T1D community.
