Your Diabetes NZ
Diabetes Action Month, November 2020, was a hugely successful campaign that raised awareness and encouraged positive action for people with all types of diabetes.
Kei whakawā. Me aroha.
LOVE DON'T JUDGE With the theme Love Don’t Judge, we encouraged New Zealanders to be kind and to “wear their heart on their sleeve” for diabetes. This message was strongly encouraged by well-known New Zealanders through the campaign video, including Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Mike McRoberts, Mike Puru, Dave Letele (AKA Buttabean), Jazz Thornton, and the Mai FM Morning Crew. They were joined by Diabetes NZ Auckland branch’s Susan Moala’eua and Iliana Fusitua. Diabetes NZ is grateful to those who volunteered their time to be part of the campaign video and spread this important message, and to everyone who wore their heart on their sleeve for Diabetes Action Month.
2020 Emotional Wellbeing Survey In 2020, for the first time, Diabetes NZ took a deep dive into the emotional wellbeing of people living with diabetes. We distributed a survey widely through our networks and found out just how prevalent diabetes distress, burnout, and mental health concerns are in our community. We also discovered that Covid-19 had increased diabetes distress, stigma, and discrimination. Diabetes NZ CEO Heather Verry was interviewed about the survey results, diabetes distress, and Diabetes Action Month on One News, Newshub at 6, Newstalk ZB, Radio New Zealand, and TV3’s The Café. Additionally, stories about diabetes and diabetes distress were reported on Stuff.co.nz, NZ Herald, Mai FM, and local news outlets around the country as part of this campaign. Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey and bravely shared your feelings and experiences. This helped us understand more about how diabetes affects your everyday life and informed the development of our new Diabetes Distress resource.
SURVEY RESULTS • 81% of people surveyed had experienced diabetes distress • 69% had experienced diabetes burnout • 44% had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder (for example, depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder) since being diagnosed with diabetes • 56% felt concerned about their risk of severe illness from Covid-19 • 45% experienced an increase in diabetes distress as a result of Covid-19 • 14% experienced increased stigma or discrimination due to Covid-19
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2021
