Living with Type 1 Diabetes: Why Mental Health Must Be Central to Care

10 December, 2025

Lucy Woods is a Perth-based writer and advocate who has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood. She’s passionate about breaking down stigma, sharing real-life experiences, and pushing for better mental health care in diabetes. When she’s not writing or speaking about T1D, she’s road-tripping across WA, curating playlists, or spending time with loved ones.

The Hidden Mental Load of Type 1 Diabetes

Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a full-time job, one that never takes a break. From managing blood glucose levels to navigating social situations and daily routines, the mental and emotional toll is often overlooked. In Australia, where over 130,000 people live with T1D, it's time we made mental health a core part of diabetes care.

Managing T1D involves hundreds of micro-decisions every day, what to eat, when to dose insulin, how to exercise, and how to respond to unpredictable blood sugar swings. While healthcare systems often focus on metrics like HbA1c and time in range, the emotional burden is rarely addressed.

Mental health support is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Without it, people are left to navigate burnout, anxiety, and depression alone.

My Experience with Diabetes Burnout

As a teenager, I cycled through periods of neglecting my diabetes management. I’d set goals, feel motivated, and then fall short—again and again. It wasn’t until a hospital stay revealed an HbA1c over 15% that I realised how serious things had become. Despite the severity, I wasn’t offered psychological support. That absence speaks volumes.

Why Mental Health Support Needs to Be Routine

Diabetes burnout isn’t just about missed insulin doses, it’s about feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, and isolated. These feelings are common yet rarely discussed in clinical settings. Stress and anxiety can directly impact blood sugar levels, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to break without support.

Finding Support and Breaking the Cycle

What helped me was reconnecting with my healthcare team, discovering diabetes technology that worked for me, and finding a community of people who understood. Tools like continuous glucose monitors gave me back a sense of control. Talking openly with loved ones helped lighten the emotional load.

Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

Mental health care doesn’t always mean therapy. It can be journaling, meditation, regular movement, or simply getting enough sleep. Setting realistic goals and having strategies to bounce back from setbacks are key.

A Call for Systemic Change in Diabetes Care

Mental health should be integrated into chronic disease management, not treated as an afterthought. In Australia, we can lead the way in holistic diabetes care. That means routine mental health screenings, access to psychologists, and education for healthcare providers.

You’re Not Alone

Living with T1D is messy and hard—but it’s also manageable with the right support. If you’re struggling, know that there’s a community, tools, and people who understand. We need to build a system that supports both body and mind—because mental health is not optional.

This blog post is not a substitute for medical advice and/or services from a healthcare provider. This blog post is not to be relied upon in any way in connection with your personal health care related decisions and treatment.

Refer to the Omnipod® 5 and Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System User Guides for complete safety information including indications, contraindications, warnings, cautions, and instructions.