Three Reasons You Should Join a Diabetes Support Group

Joining a support group has it's advantages.

The CGM Blog

Three Reasons You Should Join a Diabetes Support Group

Diabetes support groups can help you manage the condition with greater confidence and connect you to the diabetes community. Here are some key benefits of joining a group and a list of a few diabetes support opportunities for Canadians.

Living with diabetes takes a lot of strength and courage. It’s a demanding job that requires you to pay close attention to things people who don’t live with the condition may never have to think about. Individuals managing diabetes have to be mindful about everyday choices like selecting the right foods, tracking their activity levels, closely monitoring blood sugar, or glucose, levels—and so much more.

As you move through your diabetes journey, you might encounter roadblocks and setbacks, but you’ll also experience exciting milestones and victories. Joining a diabetes support group or organization means having a community around you who understands what you’re going through because they’ve been there, too. Your diabetes community can provide encouragement when you’re facing challenges and be there to celebrate when you achieve your goals.

A diabetes support group can also help you learn more about diabetes self-care. Being a part of a group can give you a greater sense of belonging, empowering you to embrace your diabetes journey as a meaningful life experience and manage the condition with greater confidence.

What support is there for people living with diabetes?

There are plenty of support groups for diabetes that focus on mental health, social connection, and sharing personal experiences, while others offer diabetes self-management education with certified healthcare professionals. When it comes to living with diabetes, know that you don’t have to do it alone.

Several organizations offer free diabetes support groups that meet on a regular basis in-person in your local community but there are also diabetes support groups online that you can join from anywhere. Diabetes Canada and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) both offer many online and local events, including runs, galas, and golf tournaments, as well as virtual diabetes education classes, and peer support programs.

Many support groups offer fun experiences for participants, such as Connected in Motion which facilitates outdoor adventures for adults living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). There are also support groups in Canada and activities just for children and teens living with diabetes, such as Diabetes Canada D-Camps and I Challenge Diabetes camps and retreats. The Diabetes Hope Foundation offers peer support, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities for young adults making the transition between high school and post-secondary education. Many Canadian families also travel to the annual Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conferences that take place in cities across the US—including conferences hosted at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA and Disneyworld in Orlando, FL where kids can make memories with peers who are also living with diabetes.

[Graphic Suggestion | Inline #1: A group of kid camping (pitching a tent, making a fire, having smores!) or kids at a hockey camp]

Joining the Dexcom Warrior community is another excellent way to get involved and make connections. Warriors frequently share their experiences and struggles to help inspire others as they move through their diabetes journeys. You can follow along on Instagram and Facebook to see how Warriors thrive while managing diabetes.

Benefits of Joining a Diabetes Support Group

Treating diabetes with insulin, medications, or lifestyle changes is just one aspect of the care puzzle. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes or have been living with the condition for a while, joining a diabetes support group can play a role in improving your overall diabetes management. Parents of children living with diabetes can also benefit from connecting with the diabetes community to learn more about the condition and find support from other families who share similar experiences.

Connecting with the diabetes community is a great way to support the human being experiencing the condition by addressing emotional and psychological needs, not just medical needs. Here are just a few ways engaging with support groups for diabetes can help you feel your best more often.

Learn Diabetes Self-Care Tips and Tricks

Many diabetes support groups are led by Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) or other healthcare professionals who specialize in diabetes management. These experts can provide accurate, clinical guidance about a range of diabetes-related subjects like carb counting, insulin dosing, and glucose management. Diabetes Canada provides online educational courses for individuals living with diabetes facilitated by diabetes healthcare professionals. JDRF also has professionally-led educational programs for individuals living with T1D. Diabète Québec offers bilingual resources including consultations with healthcare professionals, plus a library of educational videos, and plenty of informational articles on living with diabetes.

In addition to guidance from people with medical training, many individuals living with diabetes benefit from sharing tips and tricks they use with each other. Everyone has a unique experience with diabetes management. Someone who shares your lifestyle—like a fellow hiker or travel-lover, stay-at-home parent, or night shift worker—or someone who has encountered the same challenges you have may be able to give you insight into how they manage diabetes more effectively. Getting friendly suggestions from others who have experience managing diabetes can inspire you to make changes in your diabetes self-care routines, but be sure to discuss any new habits you want to try out with your doctor and diabetes care team beforehand.

Support Your Mental Health and Well-Being

Managing diabetes can take a toll on your mental health. Working hard to control your glucose, staying disciplined about diet and exercise, learning how to effectively communicate with your healthcare providers, and experiencing anxiety about low blood sugar or diabetes complications can compound over time and leave you feeling burned out. If burnout isn’t addressed, it may lead to diabetes distress, which can have an impact on your mood and make it more difficult to take care of yourself.

Joining a diabetes support group gives you the chance to open up about what you’re going through in a welcoming and understanding environment. Engaging with others who are also living with the condition and “just get it” can empower you to embrace your diabetes journey as a deeply meaningful life experience. Through community and camaraderie, shared challenges and struggles can become points of connection. The emotional impact of social connection has been shown to improve our ability to manage stress in our lives and can also contribute to a decreased risk of experiencing diabetes complications like heart disease and stroke.¹

Strengthen Your Diabetes Management Habits

Eating well and engaging in movement you enjoy are two key components of diabetes management. Sharing meals and getting active together are also at the heart of human connection. Meeting people through a diabetes support group can give you the opportunity to find workout buddies or friends to swap recipes with. If your group is local, you can set up regular potlucks with diabetes-friendly options or start taking walks, rides, swims, or hikes together.

Even if you’re unable to meet up in person, simply providing and receiving encouragement around healthy habits can give you some extra motivation to keep going. Your support group can help you stay accountable to your diet and exercise goals, give you advice, and congratulate you along the way. Studies have shown that participating in peer-to-peer support groups helps both adults and children living with diabetes strengthen their diabetes self-care routines and improve their glucose control.^2-4 You could also consider sharing your glucose data with trusted supporters using the Dexcom Follow app to create your own circle of care, giving friends and family the chance to highlight your wins and remind you to keep up the good work.^*†

Diabetes Support Groups in Canada

There are many organizations that provide support groups for diabetes and regularly host events for the diabetes community in Canada. You can check out Diabetes Canada’s comprehensive guide to regional diabetes support resources to find support in your area. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of the free diabetes support groups across the country:

Community Support Groups

National

Just For Kids

Educational Support Groups

National

Atlantic Canada

Central Canada

Prairies

West Coast

Vancouver Coastal Health Diabetes Education Centres

Territories

Find Inspiration and Connection in the Dexcom Warrior Community

The Dexcom Warriors are a welcoming community connecting individuals living with diabetes across Canada, and all over the world. They proudly share their experiences living with diabetes and how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) helps them manage the condition with more confidence and peace of mind. Check out how individuals like you thrive with diabetes in our library of inspiring Warrior stories.

Explore Dexcom Warrior Stories

* Followers must have compatible smart devices to use the Dexcom Follow app. To view a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
† Separate Dexcom Follow app and internet connection required. Internet connectivity required for data sharing.

1 Social Connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated March 27, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html
2 Azmiardi A, et al. The effect of peer support in diabetes self-management education on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021090. doi:10.4178/epih.e2021090
3 Chen C, et al. Effect of peer support interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Patient Educ Couns. 2024;122:108172. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2024.108172
4 Salis S, et al. Type 1 Diabetes Peer Support Groups: Bridging the Gap Between Healthcare Professionals and People with Type 1 Diabetes. Journal of Diabetology. 2022;13(1):p 16-24. doi:10.4103/jod.jod_137_21

Diabetes Support Groups in Canada

Find Inspiration and Connection in the Dexcom Warrior Community

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