I feel desperate

One in five people at some time have counselling to help them manage their diabetes, but if you’ve reached a point where you feel you can’t go on, we can help you.

Managing diabetes can make you feel low, but you may have clinical depression if you:

  • feel sad, numb or angry a lot of the time
  • don’t have the energy or motivation to do things
  • blame yourself for things you can’t control
  • feel unworthy of love or respect
  • can’t face the day or want the world to go away

There are things you can do now that will make you feel better soon:

Clinical depression can be treated

There is help available for clinical depression such as peer and social support, counselling, psychotherapy or medication.

You may require any combination of these and discussing it with your doctor/nurse will help you decide how to proceed.

Depression is a very treatable condition. It is not about weakness and there is no reason for you go on alone or feeling this bad.

Help for suicidal thoughts

Sometimes, these feelings can become more pronounced and you may feel that life is not worth living or that you want to end your life. You may have found yourself planning how you might do this.
If you need help now, please contact the support lines listed below, which are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

  • Call 0800 328 4444 for Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPA) services if you are a resident of Ealing, Hounslow or Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Call 0800 023 4650 or email cnw-tr.spa@nhs.net for Mental Health Single Point of Access (SPA) services if you are a resident of Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster
  • Call the Samaritans on 116 123. This number is free to call and is available 24 hours per day and 365 days per year
  • Or go to the Accident and Emergency Departments in St Mary’s, Charing Cross, Chelsea and Westminster, West Middlesex, Ealing, Northwick Park, Central Middlesex or Hillingdon Hospitals where you can walk in and who can pass you on to the Mental Health team. 

Take steps to help with stress and anxiety early

There’s lots of free advice on coping with stress and anxiety, including the NHS guides on managing:

Coping with diabetes distress

There’s also help if managing your diabetes is causing you stress.

Taking care of your mental health is easier when you can connect. Help us to help you