4 Steps for Psychological Support for Diabetic Patients from Saudi Health

The Saudi Ministry of Health, through its health awareness platform "Live Healthy," emphasized the pivotal role of psychological and emotional stability in the treatment plan for diabetes patients, noting that the psychological aspect is no less important than adherence to medication and dietary guidelines. The Ministry explained that approximately 75% of people with diabetes urgently need psychological and emotional support from those around them to ensure a better response to treatment.

Why is psychological support considered part of treatment?

Medical evidence confirms that stress and psychological pressure lead to the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn raise blood sugar levels and impair insulin function. Hence, the Ministry of Health, through its account on the "X" platform, called for the necessity of supporting patients, stating: "Because psychological support makes the journey easier, be a source of support for those with diabetes, and stand by them on their health journey.".

4 golden steps to support diabetic patients

Health authorities have identified four simple daily practices that family and friends can follow to support the patient:

• Avoid insisting on offering sweets: respect the patient's diet and do not make him feel deprived or pressure him to eat sugars.
• Organizational assistance: Participating in organizing meal times and medication schedules to reduce the mental burden on the patient.
• Enhancing dietary diversity: Paying attention to providing a variety of healthy options, and monitoring the quantities of dates and fruits in accordance with the patient's condition.
• Reminders and medical assistance: Gentle reminders about medication schedules, and assistance with insulin injections when needed, which enhances the patient's sense of care and attention.

The reality of diabetes in the Kingdom: figures that call for caution

In a related context, the World Diabetes Day events organized by Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University revealed important statistics regarding the prevalence of the disease in the Kingdom. The infection rate has exceeded 23% of the population, which translates to approximately 5 million people living with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. These figures place diabetes at the forefront of national health challenges, requiring the concerted efforts of all sectors.

Proactive initiatives in the workplace

In response to these challenges, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shahrani, Dean of the College of Medicine at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, launched a medical awareness campaign aimed at shifting the fight against the disease from hospitals to the workplace. This initiative is a partnership with the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) and the Saudi Society for Diabetes and Endocrinology.

The 2025 slogan, "Diabetes in the Workplace," focuses on protecting employees as the cornerstone of production and development by integrating periodic check-ups into the daily routine of establishments, which contributes to the early detection of the disease and the prevention of its complications, which is in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes preventive medicine and quality of life.