New survey reveals the diabetes state of mind in America is anxious, frustrated, and in need of more awareness to remove barriers to getting mental health help.

  • There is a powerful connection between diabetes and mental health.
  • 1 in 2 (51%) Americans are surprised to learn of the link, according to new survey.1
  • CDC reports people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression than those without diabetes, but only 25%-50% of people with diabetes who have depression get diagnosed and treated.2

INDIANAPOLIS, (November 13, 2023) – Tired, stressed, burdened, anxious, frustrated, angry. This is how people with diabetes describe how they feel, according to Diabetes State of Mind,1 a survey of adults in the US, including people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and are only some of the mental health challenges that often plague people with this chronic condition, regardless of the type of diabetes or how long they have been living with it.

With almost one-third of people with diabetes affected by mental health conditions3 and nearly half of these going undetected,4 more awareness and support are needed to reduce the barriers reported in Diabetes State of Mind, to seeking help, including affordability of (45%) and access to (35%) therapy,  embarrassment (27%), judgment from family (26%), friends (25%) and employers (16%) and fear of stigma associated with seeking professional treatment (24%).1

“Diabetes and its complications bring healthcare challenges, and the association with mental health disorders is not different,” said Enrico Repetto, MD., Head of US Roche Diabetes Care. “It’s important for people with diabetes who are experiencing mental health struggles to know they’re not alone and get the support they need.”  

The stress of living with diabetes can make it harder to control. Stress releases hormones, causing more pronounced fluctuations in the blood sugar, making it even harder to keep blood glucose levels in range.7 Difficulty managing diabetes can make mental health worse. The same is true with untreated mental health issues.  When they get worse, diabetes does, too. The good news is if one gets better, the other tends to get better, too.2  

According to the Diabetes State of Mind survey, people with diabetes say the primary issues that impact their mental well-being are the ability to manage diet and exercise (49%) and attain blood glucose goals (33%), big life transitions (32%), intimacy challenges (29%) and the ability to speak freely about diabetes and diabetes management needs at work (20%).

Diabetes is an epidemic in the US, affecting 37 million – about one in ten – Americans.5 One in five adults experience mental illness each year.6  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.2  

For almost 50 years, Roche has been dedicated to helping people with diabetes to live as normal and active a life as possible. We know this isn’t easy,” said Matt Jewett, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Roche Diabetes Care. “With information, connection, and tools to stay on top of the daily grind of diabetes and open dialogue about the related mental health challenges, we’re working to drive more awareness and conversation so people with diabetes will feel more comfortable getting the help they need.”

The Diabetes State of Mind survey is sponsored by Roche Diabetes Care. For more information on the connection between diabetes and mental well-being, visit accu-chek.com/mental-wellness.

About Roche Diabetes Care  
Roche Diabetes Care has been pioneering innovative diabetes technologies and services for more than 40 years. More than 4,500 employees in over 100 markets worldwide work every day to support people with diabetes and those at risk to achieve more time in their target ranges and experience true relief from the daily therapy routines.

Being a global leader in integrated Personalised Diabetes Management (iPDM), Roche Diabetes Care collaborates with thought leaders around the globe, including people with diabetes, caregivers, healthcare providers and payers. Roche Diabetes Care aims to transform and advance care provision and foster sustainable care structures. Under the brands RocheDiabetes, Accu-Chek and mySugr, comprising glucose monitoring, insulin delivery systems and digital solutions, Roche Diabetes Care unites with its partners to create patient-centered value. By building and collaborating in an open ecosystem, connecting devices and digital solutions as well as contextualising relevant data points, Roche Diabetes Care enables deeper insights and a better understanding of the disease, leading to personalised and effective therapy adjustments. For better outcomes and true relief.

Since 2017, mySugr, one of the most popular diabetes management apps, is part of Roche Diabetes Care.  

For more information, please visit www.rochediabetes.com, www.accu-chek.com and www.mysugr.com.

About Roche  
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

In recognising our endeavour to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

 

For more information, please contact:  
Amy Lynn at [email protected]

 

References    

  1. Data on file. Online survey of 2,033 adults 18 years and older, including 325 people with diabetes, conducted by Big Village in September 2023.  Commissioned by Roche Diabetes Care.  
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/mental-health.html (Accessed 13 October 2023)
  3. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcdhc.2022.1039192/full  (Accessed 13 October 2023)
  4. https://www.mhanational.org/diabetes-and-mental-health#4  (Accessed 13 October 2023)
  5. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html (Accessed 13 October 2023)
  6. https://www.nami.org/mhstats (Accessed 8 November 2023)
  7. Hackett, R., Steptoe, A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychological stress — a modifiable risk factor. Nat Rev Endocrinol 13, 547–560 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.64 (accessed 1 November 2023)