TY - JOUR
AU - N. Robertson
AU - E. Holmes-Truscott
AU - T. C. Skinner
AU - J. Halliday
AU - G. O'Sullivan
AU - C. Hines
AU - J. Speight
AU - E. E. Holloway
A1 - 
AB - AIM: To explore factors that foster positive mental health among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and identify opportunities for more accessible, person-centred mental health support within diabetes care. METHODS: Participants were purposively sampled from the Mental health IN Diabetes Monitoring And Pathways (MIND-MAP) cohort study. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 32 adults in Victoria, Australia. Interviews explored factors associated with emotional well-being and experiences and preferences for mental health support. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by phenomenology and constructivist grounded theory. The study was co-designed with guidance from a multidisciplinary Steering Committee and lived experience input through a Community Advisory Group comprising 12 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Participants described internal strengths (e.g. acceptance, perspective-taking) and external supports (e.g. peer connections, empathetic health professionals, timely access to mental health care) that supported their mental health. Several barriers to accessing mental health support were reported, including limited-service access, geographic and financial constraints, discomfort discussing emotions, and a lack of diabetes-specific mental health expertise. Emotional support was often absent at diagnosis and other key transition points. Participants called for support that is empathetic, non-judgemental, tailored and embedded within diabetes services. CONCLUSION: Adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes show resilience in managing mental health, yet systemic, practical and attitudinal barriers remain. Care models should build on personal strengths, normalise emotional support and integrate psychological care from diagnosis, as well as harness the value of peer support.
AD - School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.; The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, Diabetes Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.; Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.; Diabetes Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
AN - 41821236
BT - Diabet Med
C5 - Healthcare Disparities
CP - 6
DA - Jun
DO - 10.1111/dme.70273
DP - NLM
ET - 20260312
IS - 6
JF - Diabet Med
LA - eng
N2 - AIM: To explore factors that foster positive mental health among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and identify opportunities for more accessible, person-centred mental health support within diabetes care. METHODS: Participants were purposively sampled from the Mental health IN Diabetes Monitoring And Pathways (MIND-MAP) cohort study. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 32 adults in Victoria, Australia. Interviews explored factors associated with emotional well-being and experiences and preferences for mental health support. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by phenomenology and constructivist grounded theory. The study was co-designed with guidance from a multidisciplinary Steering Committee and lived experience input through a Community Advisory Group comprising 12 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: Participants described internal strengths (e.g. acceptance, perspective-taking) and external supports (e.g. peer connections, empathetic health professionals, timely access to mental health care) that supported their mental health. Several barriers to accessing mental health support were reported, including limited-service access, geographic and financial constraints, discomfort discussing emotions, and a lack of diabetes-specific mental health expertise. Emotional support was often absent at diagnosis and other key transition points. Participants called for support that is empathetic, non-judgemental, tailored and embedded within diabetes services. CONCLUSION: Adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes show resilience in managing mental health, yet systemic, practical and attitudinal barriers remain. Care models should build on personal strengths, normalise emotional support and integrate psychological care from diagnosis, as well as harness the value of peer support.
PY - 2026
SN - 0742-3071 (Print); 0742-3071
SP - e70273
ST - Shifting the narrative from 'what's wrong?' to 'what's strong?' MIND-MAP: A qualitative study exploring positive mental health and support needs of adults with diabetes
T1 - Shifting the narrative from 'what's wrong?' to 'what's strong?' MIND-MAP: A qualitative study exploring positive mental health and support needs of adults with diabetes
T2 - Diabet Med
TI - Shifting the narrative from 'what's wrong?' to 'what's strong?' MIND-MAP: A qualitative study exploring positive mental health and support needs of adults with diabetes
U1 - Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1111/dme.70273
VL - 43
VO - 0742-3071 (Print); 0742-3071
Y1 - 2026
ER -