Would you mind people monitoring what you eat? Would you mind your friends hassling you to exercise? Would mind being blamed for a condition anyone could develop? Would you mind being labelled drunk for having a hypo? Would you mind always worrying what people think of you? Would you mind being judged for your food choices? Would you mind people thinking you did it to yourself? Would you mind being shamed for taking medication? Would you mind being shamed for looking after your health? Would you mind being a punch line? Would you mind being called lazy? Would you mind people treating you as though you’re sick? Would you mind hiding when you take insulin? Would you mind someone saying you gave your child diabetes? Would you mind a joke about a condition that could kill you? Would you mind people judging how you live because of your diabetes? Would you mind people saying you should have looked after yourself better? Would you mind being made to feel guilty because you live with diabetes? Would you mind hiding your medical condition just to avoid stigma? Would you mind being discriminated against? Would you mind being excluded? Would you mind avoiding social activities? Would you mind your career choices being limited? Would you mind people making unfair assumptions? Would you mind jokes about diabetes? Would you mind the media always linking diabetes with lifestyle? Would you mind being stereotyped? Would you mind being discriminated against at work? Would you mind being judged for what you eat?
Let’s rethink diabetes
Let’s rethink diabetes
“I’m helping rethink diabetes in the media.”
Gaby Rogers
National Health Reporter, Channel Nine
“Ask your GP for support if you are struggling.”
Dr Konrad Kangru
Leading GP
“Let’s sin bin the diabetes blame game.”
Cameron Munster
NRL Star
Why we need to rethink diabetes
Every year 700,000 people living with diabetes experience mental or emotional health challenges.
That’s because living with diabetes is not easy. It’s not a choice. And there are no days off.
On top of that, many people with diabetes experience blame and shame.
There are lots of myths, misinformation and misconceptions about diabetes.
People can think diabetes isn’t serious. It is. It can be life-threatening.
People can think people cause their diabetes. But nobody chooses diabetes.
So, this National Diabetes Week, let’s rethink how we think about diabetes.
Let’s reduce the burden with more compassion.
Let’s reduce the blame with more understanding.
Let’s reduce the barriers and help people get support.
Let’s rethink diabetes.
“Diabetes is an everyday challenge. It’s unpredictable and I never know what will happen next.”
Is this how you think about diabetes?
Think people cause their diabetes?
Think diabetes isn’t serious?
Do you need support?
If this campaign raises challenging thoughts or feelings, it is important to know support is available. Reach out if you need it. This could be the first step to better mental or emotional health.
Access services in your community:
“Diabetes is by far the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with.”
Supported by Sanofi