There are a number of books, booklets, videos and apps which can help you better understand how you are feeling and provide you with strategies for managing your difficulties. These can be useful to look at and work through before, during or after therapy sessions.
A list of recommended self-help books for diabetes can be found on the Reading Well website for long-term conditions. These are available to borrow from your local library.
FoodSwitch (iOS & Android): app to support making healthy food choices
iPrescribe Exercise (iOS & Android): an app developed by physiotherapists that creates a 12-week exercise plan based on health information entered by the user. It helps to improve overall health, along with managing a number of long-term health conditions through physical activity. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/iprescribe-exercise/
My Sugr (iOS and Android): an app that allows users to complete a digital logbook that can help with diabetes management. It can track blood sugars, record carbohydrate intake, estimate HbA1c and much more. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/mysugr/
Livia Healthcare app (iOS & Android): an app to help manage conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems, and make lifestyle changes using self-monitoring. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/liva-uk/
Digibete app and website (iOS & Android): For children and young people with Type 1 diabetes and their families. The app and website includes a wide range of awareness, education, training and support resources.
Livia Healthcare app (iOS & Android): an app to help manage conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart problems, and make lifestyle changes using self-monitoring. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/liva-uk/
Other mental health apps:
iCope Mental Health Apps Review 2017 – this is a list of free, recommended mental health apps. Recommendations come from iCope clinicians, online app reviews, published studies and feedback from iCope service users.
Diabetes UK is a national charity that supports people living with diabetes in the UK.
Phone: 0345 123 2399
Email helpline@diabetes.org.uk
Their helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, and is connected to an NHS helpline so you can also ask clinical questions and diabetes nurse specialists or doctors can advise.
They also have a number of resources available via their website:
Diabetes UK Learning Zone delivers videos, quizzes, information and more. This is all tailored to you once you have registered and shared some information about your diabetes. All Learning Zone material and courses are completely free: https://learningzone.diabetes.org.uk/
MyType1Diabetes website: For adults with Type 1 diabetes. Includes videos and eLearning courses, to help people understand more about Type 1 diabetes and increase confidence in how to manage it: myType1diabetes.nhs.uk
Diabetes workbook for clients: A workbook developed as part of a research trial looking into how effective collaborative care is for individuals with depression and comorbid diabetes and/ or cardiovascular disease. For more information about this randomised controlled trial visit here: https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h638
Positive Coping with Health Conditions: a self-care workbook written by health professionals that provides strategies to help individuals living with health problems to cope
General mental health websites and workbooks:
These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.
Northumberland NHS self-help
Brief self-help leaflets on: Abuse, Alcohol, Anxiety, Domestic Violence, Self Harm, Panic, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress, Postnatal Depression, Obsessions and Compulsions
Centre for Clinical Interventions
Detailed workbooks on: panic, worrying, assertiveness, disordered eating, low self-esteem, managing distress, depression.
Talk Plus
This website has a range of booklets and videos explaining step by step how to use some of the key cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, for example behavioural activation, problem-solving, worry management and graded exposure. These may be used alongside some of the therapy sessions you attend in our service.
Good Thinking
Tools and resources to help yourself and others to feel better.
Mind
Mental health charity with lots of useful information.
Diabetes.co.uk Wellness Programme Podcast (DWP) about understanding and managing stress to support good diabetes management
Positive Coping with Health Conditions – Relaxation Method Audio resource that goes through exercises to release tension and promote relaxation. Accompanies a self-care workbook written by health professionals that provides strategies to help individuals living with health problems to cope
General mental health audio resources:
These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.
Let’s talk about CBT – audio podcast by Dr Lucy Maddox, BABCP
NHS Moodzone – a range of audio guides and podcasts to boost your mood including low mood and depression, overcoming sleep problems, unhelpful thinking, and low confidence and assertiveness
Exercise and mental health – podcast by the Mental Health Foundation
Glasgow Wellbeing Service – a range of audio resources on topics such as anxiety, relaxation, panic, sleep and stress
Listen to Zena’s journey living with type 2 diabetes and navigating the emotional challenges of this (source: Diabetes UK):
Listen to Kaja’s journey living with type 1 diabetes and the importance of talking about mental health as well as physical health management (source: Diabetes UK):
If you would like to know more about how psychological therapy within our service may be helpful for you, please book an appointment with us – be sure to state that you would like to be seen in “integrated LTC-IAPT” in your referral. Alternatively, you may wish to speak to your GP or physical health team about a referral to our service.
General mental health videos:
These resources support general mental health and may not be specific to health problems.
What is CBT – Mind
Depression – I had a Black Dog
Depression & Low Mood – British Sign Language version
Glasgow Wellbeing Service – videos on anxiety, low mood, stress, sleep, panic and anger
Talk Plus – videos on a range of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques including behavioural activation, problem-solving, graded exposure and worry management
Understanding and managing stress – video by the Mental Health Foundation
Diabetes self-management education courses are offered locally as part of diabetes care – ask your GP or diabetes specialist healthcare professionals about how to go about accessing this.
While some group courses have been disrupted during the pandemic, it may be helpful to look on the following websites and ask your healthcare team for updates. There may be online versions of courses available to you.
All courses usually give information about living well with diabetes, and give people the chance to meet and share experiences with others with diabetes: