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Emotional support available for young people living with diabetes

  • Sometimes it is helpful to talk to other people who understand what it is like to live with diabetes or be a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes.  

    When seeking emotional support, it depends on the type of support you need and what is available in your area. 

    You can receive support either face to face or through an online service. 

    Here are some options you may want to explore: 

    Family Therapy and Diabetes 

    We understand that Diabetes management can be a bit tough at times for young people and their families, where the day-to-day stresses can lead to disagreements or arguments, whether it's to do with taking insulin, blood glucose checks or diet. This may create difficulties in continuing to encourage your child with these things, perhaps feeling like you're not getting any where or the young person feeling like they want to avoid it all together.

    The Diabetes Social Work team are currently providing family work sessions for young people with Diabetes and their families, who are experiencing such tension/conflict which is impacting their Diabetes management. Family work sessions could include:

    • Working on communication between family members.
    • Being able to negotiate on responsibilities/tasks.
    • Understanding each other's perspectives; whether recognising their needs, being able to express difficulties safely and building on strengths.

    If you are interested, please click for more information or speak with your DNE or doctor. You can also contact the RCH Diabetes office on 9345 6661 or diabetes@rch.org.au and a Social Worker will get back to you.

    Diabetes Victoria Camps 

    Diabetes Victoria run camps throughout the year for young people of all ages. 

    Diabetes Victoria Camps 

    Online support for young people 

    eHeadspace

    eHeadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends.

    MindShift (App)

    Free app designed to help adolescences and young adults cope with anxiety and shift their thinking. Offers a range of strategies to manage excessive worries, stress, anxiety and panic. Also offers mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

    SmilingMind (App)

    Free app that offers mindfulness and meditation exercises for young people 7 years and older. Australian designed app to help de-stress and stay calm, a range of different programs for different age groups.

    Headspace (App)

    Free app that offers meditation exercises to help people de-stress and switch off from current stressors and anxieties. There is also a Headspace for Kids app, that is more appropriate for young people under 12 years of age.

    Livewire 

    Livewire is an online community connecting teens living with illness/disability and their siblings. 

    JDRF Australia

    JDRF has developed a support program that  provides practical advice and help for people who have been affected by a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes

    Diabetes Victoria

    Diabetes Victoria has  information for people affected by type 1 diabetes.

    Chronic illness peer support program at The Royal Children’s Hospital (ChIPS)

    This program is run for young people age from 12-25. The focus is to connect with other young people who get what it’s like to live with a chronic illness.

    Please see the website for further information and if you would like to be part of this program please talk to the diabetes allied health team.

    Other useful websites

    Diabetes Kids and Teens   -  learn and play games and additional child and teenage friendly ways of discussing type 1.

    http://www.diabetes.co.uk/