My Diabetes My Way: April 2023 Update

Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for April 2023.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
This year, mental health awareness week runs from 15th to 21st May. The theme this year is around anxiety. Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. The aim of the campaign is to increase the awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. For more information on the campaign, please visit the following website:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

My Diabetes My Way contains several resources to help support mental wellbeing:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-complications/mental-well-being/

My Diabetes My Way also contains two questionnaires that allow you to assess your mental health and general wellbeing. The aim of these questionnaires is to allow you to self-assess areas where you may benefit from talking to your healthcare team. When you complete these assessments, we will provide you with a summary that explains your result, further guidance on what you can do next, and links to information that may help you.

When you log in to My Diabetes My Way and select "My Home Data", you will see the two assessments:
1. Mental Health Test: Indicates if you are suffering from, or are at risk of depression
2. Wellbeing Test: Assesses your general wellbeing and how you are feeling

Exercise and Activity
It's nearly summertime which means we are generally more active. Regular physical activity can help:
• lift your mood
• your general wellbeing
• your sleep pattern
• increase energy levels
• reduce stress
Everyone will have their own level of fitness and ability. Some of our resources will help you find the right amount of activity for you.
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/activity-exercise/

Diabetes UK also have some useful resources on ways to move while sitting:
Five Ways to Move While Sitting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK4nyI70WcY

Five Ways to Move More While Sitting Down - https://diabetes-resources-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/resources-s3/public/2021-06/five-ways-to-move-more-while-sitting-down.pdf

Watch out on social media for new exercise resources coming to My Diabetes My Way soon.

Free Online Diabetes Course
MyWay Digital Health are hosting a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on ‘Understanding Type 1 diabetes' on 17th and 18th May. The course is a supportive eLearning experience for everyone with type 1 diabetes and those who care for them, including family, friends and healthcare professionals. To book your place, please visit https://understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com

You will also receive a personalised certificate on completion and have access to live Question and Answer sessions with diabetes experts.

Help and Support
If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot

Thank you for your continued support.