This week is National Diabetes Week which focuses on those who are living with diabetes and their mental and emotional health.

Another factor that will be considered in the 2021 campaign must be the misconception that people who suffer with diabetes, stigma have more than five people with this disease from stigma and mental health concerns.

Males have high suicide concerns as suicide rates by 80 per cent the last 12 months where people living with depression or anxiety and now there is more evidence-based research studies showing that people living with this disease need more support in place.

This year the campaign is aiming to reduce the stigma in community through the awareness campaign.

For 2021, the aim is to raise much-needed awareness and education for those that are unaware of the struggles that diabetics are faced with in their day-to-day activities.

Every year children and adults are referred to hospital due to early warning signs of Type 1 Diabetes being missed. Type 1 diabetes can be fatal for the person if not diagnosed in time.

One way of early detection of signs of type 1 diabetes is learning the 4T’s. The 4T’s consist of noticing changes in your body that will include excessive thirst, your body is wanting water but then you go to the toilet a whole lot, along with going to the toilet a lot means you may be tired and losing weight too.

So remember, if someone is drinking a lot of water, going to the toilet, losing weight or loss, then you might need to check this out and consult with a doctor.

Diabetes Queensland is one of the diabetes support services in the state that continues to provide resources to individuals, carers and communities.

Diabetes Queensland assist all types of diabetes by offering programs, camps, support groups and services in community to help different groups in your community.

With hospitals, schools and support groups to support groups in our region the information advocacy and research to people living with diabetes, carers and community members and offer support networks.

Understanding the families also is important where early childhood intervention and parent and baby diagnosis will impact.

The Diabetes Queensland Contact Centre is available to assist people with support or referral for anyone in your region living with diabetes.

Their contact number is 1800 177 055 or by emailing [email protected]

The support groups offer key services in schools, early childhood workplaces, and the home environment to provide advocacy and support.

Diabetes Queensland provides access to school staff and the organisation advocates on behalf of the organisation and associated partners throughout various districts in the State of Queensland.

Diabetes Queensland works with all levels of government and offers levels of support with child and safety services and policy development and key connecting in community.

As a government Ambassadors Program Queensland trains individuals in the diabetes space from high school and students to others in the workplace.

If you would like to be part of the Diabetes Queensland Ambassador Program you can contact the service and join the program.

If you or someone in your home or community have been diagnosed with diabetes or impacted, a referral is available for the Diabetes Queensland Contact Centre or just jump online to access the services in which you can also find 107 resources or materials for more information.

Roborn the Rose