Researcher Highlights Importance of Peer Support in Diabetes Management

A new article published in the British Journal of Medicine has highlighted a new key component that has been long-ignored when it comes to effective management of life with diabetes: peer support. After discovering that a strong support network was what was missing in her life, researcher and diabetic Emma Cartwright from the University of Oxford began a campaign to increase awareness about the importance of this aspect of diabetes care.

Cartwright’s journey

After a test result at a routine checkup revealed that Cartwright was having trouble managing her diabetes, her doctor didn’t scold her; he asked her “What [she] need[ed] to make things better.”1 After speaking with her doctor about the challenges of living her life differently than her family members and friends, Cartwright would attend her first co-op event that addressed the role that mental health played in the puzzle of effective diabetes management. For the first time, Cartwright realized that she had been neglecting one important factor necessary for management of diabetes–her social support network.

The importance of having someone to talk to

At the meeting on diabetes and mental health, Cartwright realized firsthand how important it is for those managing a special condition to have a strong support network with whom they can speak about the challenges of daily life and mitigation.

“We all experienced the same difficulties, including not wanting to accept that our lives would be different from those of everyone around us; the constant judgment from doctors, friends, and strangers on our blood sugar results and what we were eating; and managing injections,” Cartwright said.1 Cartwright believes that for those struggling to manage their condition, a supportive network of diabetic contacts is crucial.

“Peer support allowed me to no longer fear failure but to take it as a learning experience; it is part of my journey.”

Do you have a solid support network?

If you are living with diabetes, finding a peer group that can support your journey towards better health can be just as important as managing your diet and taking your medication as directed. A lack of supportive encouragement can do more than just leave you feeling down in the dumps–you may start to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with the stress as well, which can make it even more difficult to manage your condition. Maintaining a strong support network may also help you stay up-to-date with the newest advancements and research that can help you effectively manage your condition.

There are a number of resources that you can use to develop a peer support network that can help make it easier to deal with the physical and emotional effects of diabetes. Facebook pages and groups that can be used to connect with others searching for the same type of support as you are. Diabetes Support, one of the largest public Facebook groups centered on living with diabetes, has over 20,000 members looking for new friends and companions.2 In addition to online support groups, websites dedicated to making local connections, like Meetup.com, can help you find men and women in your area to get together with over shared interests or hobbies.