World Diabetes Day: Understanding, Prevention & Support

World Diabetes Day on November 14th highlights diabetes prevention and management for 830 million people globally, with 77% experiencing anxiety or depression related to their condition, making therapeutic support essential for comprehensive diabetes care.

Living with diabetes affects more than blood sugar - it impacts your emotional well-being too. World Diabetes Day reminds us that 77% of people with diabetes experience anxiety or depression, but understanding this mind-body connection opens doors to comprehensive healing and support.

Understanding World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 each year. This day highlights the global impact of diabetes and raises awareness about improving its diagnosis, management, and prevention. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the theme for 2024 to 2026 is well-being for a better diabetes life, with 2024’s theme being “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps.”

World Diabetes Day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to raise awareness of the global threat of this condition. In 2006, the UN adopted the event in response to “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health and provide access to treatment and healthcare education.”

The scope of diabetes worldwide

Diabetes has significant global impacts. Below, explore some statistics highlighting this importance and prevalence:

• Diabetes prevalence is increasing around the world. The number of people living with diabetes in 2022 was 830 million, up significantly from 200 million in 1990.
• In 2022, more than half of people with diabetes did not take medication for their condition.
• In 2021, diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses caused more than two million deaths.
• It is estimated that 240 million individuals worldwide do not know that they have diabetes.
• The global economic impact of diabetes is predicted to reach $2.1 trillion by 2030. By 2045, diabetes-related health expenditures in the United States alone are expected to be $392,537.4 million.

Understanding diabetes: Types and mechanisms

There are multiple types of diabetes, and many differences between them. However, insulin and blood sugar levels are involved in every kind of diabetes. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that controls the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood. Glucose is brought into the body through food.

When glucose enters the bloodstream, it signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts as a key, helping glucose enter the cells to be used as energy. When the glucose enters the cells, blood sugar levels drop, and the pancreas stops producing insulin. Depending on the type of diabetes someone lives with, the process of insulin and glucose interactions can be interrupted.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks specific cells in the pancreas, preventing them from making insulin. When the body does not produce insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and cannot be used for energy. This process can lead to serious health complications and even death. People with type 1 diabetes need to inject synthetic insulin every day to stay healthy. This type of diabetes is typically present early in one’s life, but some people may not notice symptoms until they’re adults.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. In this condition, the pancreas produces insulin, but it either doesn’t produce enough or the body doesn’t use it effectively. Not enough glucose reaches the cells, and blood sugar rises. Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but some people may be more genetically predisposed to the condition. Pre-diabetes can also occur, which is when blood sugar levels start rising but aren’t high enough yet to qualify as type 2 diabetes. Treating pre-diabetes may prevent one’s risk of developing diabetes.

Other forms of diabetes

Other types of diabetes include the following:

• Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes can occur in people who are pregnant but usually resolves after the pregnancy.
• Type 3c diabetes: Type 3c occurs when the pancreas is damaged from infection, cancer, or any other mechanism other than autoimmune.
• Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): This type of diabetes occurs due to a genetic mutation that affects how the body makes and uses insulin. MODY accounts for about 5% of diabetes cases.

Health complications associated with diabetes

Diabetes can lead to multiple health challenges and life-long complications, including the following:

• Vision problems as a result of damage to the blood vessels in the eyes
• Diabetic foot problems due to reduced blood flow and damage to the nerves in the feet; in the U.S., about 160,000 people have a lower limb amputation due to complications from diabetes every year
• High blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease as a result of the damage to the blood vessels
• Kidney disease or kidney failure due to blood vessel damage in the kidneys
• Skin infections due to reduced circulation
• Death due to complications of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia

Diabetes prevention strategies

The most common type of diabetes, type 2, is preventable. Consider the following tips to prevent diabetes.

Weight management

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for diabetes. While reaching a “normal” body weight may seem overwhelming, even losing five to ten percent of your body weight may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, talk to your doctor, as not every person with a higher body weight is at risk of health complications, and many larger people are healthy.

Regular physical activity

Start small with exercise by breaking your routine up into three ten-minute daily walks and building up to your goal. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Even a walk down the street is a form of aerobic exercise. You can also try more fun forms of exercise like dancing, yoga, stretching, swimming, hiking, climbing, or playing with your pets or kids.

Nutritious eating patterns

Talk to your doctor about the best foods for your unique body and mind. What’s nourishing for one person may not be healthy for another, so work with a nutritionist and learn about your body’s unique reactions to certain foods. Many people find vegetables and fruits healthy, but ensure you also get some source of protein and fiber in your healthy diet.

The mental health dimension of diabetes

Diabetes can also affect one’s mental health. One global survey conducted by the International Diabetes Federation found that 77% of people with diabetes have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition as a result of their condition. Some of the concerns leading to these mental health challenges include fear of complications, daily management, and the stigma surrounding the disease.

If you are experiencing mental health challenges as a result of living with diabetes, consider talking to a mental health professional. Untreated mental health issues can make diabetes worse, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, if one gets better, the other tends to as well.

How therapy supports diabetes management

A licensed clinical social worker can help you learn coping skills to manage symptoms of depression or anxiety that may arise from living with diabetes. Therapy provides a space to process the emotional challenges of chronic disease management, develop stress reduction techniques, and address the psychological impacts of lifestyle changes and medical procedures.

If you’re interested in working with a therapist but health complications make it difficult to travel, or if you don’t feel you have time to attend traditional sessions, consider telehealth treatment. With a telehealth platform like ReachLink, you can work with a licensed clinical social worker from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection with a smartphone, computer, or other device.

Research has found that therapy can simultaneously improve mental health symptoms and glycemic control in people with diabetes, with one preliminary study finding that “integrating digital mental health interventions into diabetes care can positively impact both psychological well-being and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.”

Supporting loved ones with diabetes

If you have a loved one with diabetes, your support can help them manage their condition and help avoid some of the worst complications. Below are several tips for offering support to someone with diabetes:

• Learn more about diabetes care, including when to check blood sugars and how to get medical help.
• Ask your loved one if you can accompany them to appointments so you can learn more about how you can help.
• Understand that blood sugar shifts can affect a person’s mood and accept that they may have ups and downs.
• Encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle by offering to walk together or cook diabetes-friendly meals.
• Know the signs of low blood sugar to know when they might benefit from help. These symptoms can include shakiness, anxiety, impatience, chills, sweats, blurred vision, nausea, hunger, and fatigue.

Ways to participate in World Diabetes Day

There are many ways to celebrate World Diabetes Day, including those detailed below.

Raise awareness

One way to raise awareness on World Diabetes Day is to wear blue or clothes with the symbol for World Diabetes Day: A blue circle. Blue represents the color of the United Nations and the sky, and the circle represents the need to stay united in this fight. Other ways to raise awareness include using relevant social media hashtags, participating in local diabetes walks and other events, and sharing educational material online.

Contribute to diabetes organizations

To celebrate World Diabetes Day, consider donating to a diabetes-related charity, like the American Diabetes Association, Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), or the National Kidney Foundation.

Volunteer your time

Volunteering your time is another way to celebrate this day of awareness. Seek out a local chapter of a diabetes charity, help out at a community event, support a fundraising event, or get involved in fundraising.

Advocate for policy change

You can take various steps to advocate for change. Sharing personal stories can make an impact and help people understand how diabetes affects those they know and love. You can also send letters to local, state, and federal lawmakers calling for more policies supporting the health care of those with diabetes.

Moving forward: Integrated care for diabetes

World Diabetes Day is meant to raise awareness about the global impact of this disease and how to improve the diagnosis, management, and prevention of this condition. Diabetes can have significant effects on physical health, and more than two-thirds of people with diabetes have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition as a result of their condition.

Understanding diabetes as a condition that affects both body and mind is essential for comprehensive care. The interconnection between physical and mental health means that addressing psychological wellbeing isn’t supplementary to diabetes management—it’s central to it. Whether you’re living with diabetes yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand this global health challenge, recognizing the full scope of its impact is the first step toward meaningful support and effective management.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety from living with diabetes, consider reaching out to a licensed clinical social worker through telehealth services or in your area. Taking care of your mental health is an important part of taking care of your overall health. For specialized support, explore diabetes and mental health support.

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional.

FAQ

• How does diabetes affect mental health?

  Living with diabetes can significantly impact mental health, with studies showing people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety. The constant management of blood sugar levels, dietary restrictions, and fear of complications can create chronic stress. Additionally, blood sugar fluctuations can directly affect mood, energy levels, and cognitive function, creating a cycle where physical and mental health influence each other.

• What therapeutic approaches are most effective for diabetes-related mental health challenges?

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for diabetes-related anxiety and depression, helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns about their condition. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help with emotional regulation and stress management. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown significant benefits in reducing diabetes distress and improving blood sugar control through stress reduction.

• How can therapy help with diabetes management burnout?

  Diabetes burnout affects up to 45% of people with diabetes and involves feeling overwhelmed by the constant self-care demands. Therapy can help by developing coping strategies, setting realistic goals, and addressing perfectionist tendencies. Therapists can work with individuals to create sustainable management routines, improve self-compassion, and develop problem-solving skills for challenging situations.

• When should someone with diabetes consider seeking therapy?

  Consider therapy if you're experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety about diabetes complications, difficulty managing your condition, social isolation, or conflicts with family about diabetes care. Other signs include avoiding medical appointments, struggling with medication adherence, eating disorder behaviors, or feeling overwhelmed by daily management tasks. Early intervention can prevent more serious mental health complications.

• How does family therapy support diabetes management?

  Family therapy addresses how diabetes affects the entire family system and can improve communication about health needs, reduce family conflicts around management, and help loved ones understand their supportive role without becoming overly controlling. This approach is particularly beneficial for families with children or adolescents with diabetes, helping establish healthy boundaries and shared responsibility for care.