TALKING Matters Warrington are working with Diabetes UK to understand the emotional and psychological needs of people living with diabetes.

The team have received training from Diabetes UK in order to learn more about the long-term condition and how it can impact on mental health, with the aim of encouraging more people with diabetes to access the local service.

Simon Hammond, commissioning manager for mental health at NHS Warrington CCG said: “Talking Matters Warrington have embraced working in partnership with physical healthcare services and specialist sessions like this are an excellent way of improving awareness for staff and therefore service provision for the people of Warrington.”

In May, Diabetes UK launched the It’s Missing campaign, calling for more emotional and psychological support for people living with diabetes.

New research from the charity found that seven out of ten people feel overwhelmed by the demands of living with diabetes, significantly affecting their mental and physical health.

It also uncovered that three quarters of people with diabetes who needed mental health support could not access it.

Clare Howarth, head of the north of England at Diabetes UK said: “Emotional and psychological support is a vital part of diabetes care and should be available for anyone who needs it and yet it is so often overlooked.

"We’re are incredibly grateful to Talking Matters Warrington for working with us to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and diabetes. We hope that by working together we can ensure that people who need emotional and psychological support are able access it.”

Talking Matters Warrington is part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme, designed to help people access talking therapies as close to home or work as possible.

To find out more about Talking Matters Warrington visit

www.mhm.org.uk/talking-matters-warrington