Forum stages Q&A on psychological support

Europe’s largest forum for people with diabetes is staging a social media question and answer session on diabetes and depression on Thursday, April 23.

Dav Panesar – an expert in the field of mindfulness-based therapies – will be answering any questions from people with diabetes and carers from 7pm to 8pm on Diabetes.co.uk‘s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Participants can either send in their questions in advance or can post their questions live on the night.

As part of Depression Awareness Week, which runs from April 20 to 26, Dav will be looking at techniques and tools that the diabetes community can use to deal with depression, anxiety and diabetes related emotional distress including burnout.

Research shows that people with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer depression than the general population and are 29 per cent more likely to have depression compared with people without diabetes – this rises to 53 per cent for those with Type1 diabetes. Studies have also shown an association between high-blood sugars and depression, according to the InDependent Diabetes Trust’s Stress, Anxiety & Depression booklet.

A spokesman for Diabetes.co.uk said: “As a teacher, facilitator, researcher and consultant with over 20 years of teaching experience, Dav is skilled in incorporating mindfulness within the businesses, education and health sector. His focus and research has been on the application of mindfulness-based approaches for those suffering from diseases such as cancer and diabetes, in addition to mental health including stress, anxiety and depression.

Mindfulness is a technique that teaches an individual to become aware of moment-by-moment thoughts, emotions and physical sensations in a non-judgemental way. The foundations of

Mindfulness is a technique that teaches an individual to become aware of moment-by-moment thoughts, emotions and physical sensations in a non-judgemental way

“mindfulness lie in the ancient practice of meditation and in the US, mindfulness is being increasingly used for eating habits and diabetes management. Research has shown that mindfulness enhances clinical effect of glycemic control.”

Throughout 2015, Diabetes.co.uk has launched a series of live Q&As with experts including doctors, dieticians and nutritionists via its Facebook and Twitter page. Social media users will have the chance to ask any diabetes related questions and receive expert.