Living with diabetes can feel isolating at times. Friends and family might not fully understand the daily challenges of a chronic condition or the impacts on your mental wellbeing.

Support groups allow you to connect with others having a similar experience. Chat with like-minded people who have ‘been there, done that’ and get what it’s like to live with diabetes.

Support groups are for people with diabetes, carers, family and friends. They can be:

• Face-to-face, online or by telephone
• As small as three people who meet regularly to check in on each other
• As large as one hundred members who come together to hear from guest speakers and health professionals, share social outings and run special events.

Regardless of how you meet or the size of your group, the objective is the same: support for people living with diabetes.

Why should I join a support group?

Support groups give you the chance to:

• Make new friends
• Share your experience in a safe and non-judgmental space
• Ask questions you’re too afraid or embarrassed to ask anyone else
• Gain knowledge and the latest information around diabetes management
• Get recommendations on health professionals, clinical care and community resources
• Feel more supported and less alone.

According to recent research^*, people who regularly take part in peer-led support groups:

• Can better manage their diabetes
• Are more confident about their diabetes
• Experience lower levels of stress and depression
• Have a better quality of life due to friendships made and support received.

^* Browne et al. 2017

It’s important to remember that support groups do not:

• Replace professional health advice
• Suit everyone
• Answer all your questions.

If you want to make changes to your diabetes management plan following discussions within support groups, please check with your GP first.

Join a support group

The NDSS Peer Support website is a free resource, to help adults living with diabetes access peer support information and find independently run peer support groups.

Find an online or face-to-face group to provide you with support. The NDSS Peer Support website provides a space where people who live with diabetes can connect with peers, learn from others’ lived experiences and share their own diabetes journey.

Read the NDSS factsheet on the benefits of peer support.

Diabetes Australia member community

As a member of Diabetes Australia you can connect with other members via our member community forum. We hold regular online meet ups and webinars, while the online library has a range of useful and relevant resources. Find out more about our member benefits.