Psychological Distress and Mental Health Support in a Cohort of South Africans Living With Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects millions of people worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that nearly 60 million South Africans will be affected by 2050. Diabetes is one of the most complex chronic conditions, and the burden of the disease extends beyond the physical and adversely impacts emotional and psychological well-being. Limited mental health resources are often dedicated to DM treatment. This study intended to describe the psychological distress of people living with diabetes (PLWD) and their views regarding the accessibility and quality of mental health support. The study was conducted with a South African sample using a cross-sectional research design with a survey method for data collection. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling via Facebook Diabetes support groups, and 253 participants ( n = 253) completed a demographic questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The findings show that 23.7% presented with moderate depression, 19.4% presented with moderately severe depression and 13% presented with severe depression. There were significant differences between younger and older participants in relation to their PHQ-9 scores. In relation to mental health support, 41.9% of participants indicated a preference for in-person mental health support and 49.8% of the sample advocated that mental health support must be tailored for people with diabetes. Participants also highlighted the unaffordability of mental health support. The research highlights the mental health challenges faced by PLWD, and the findings can be used to guide the development of quality and accessible mental health interventions for DM patients in a multicultural context where health disparities are evident.