Helen Edwards Diabetes Counselling Online Interview

Helen Edwards Diabetes Counselling Online Interview

Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) is a not-for-profit organisation, providing free online diabetes counselling, education and support for Australians living with all types of diabetes, and support for their families and friends. Founded by Helen Edwards in 2001, DCO has developed a unique virtual business model in the online health space that has attracted interest from international health organisations to replicate a similar model.

DCO has grown to support a community of over 10,000 members nationwide across its e-counselling services, website resources and social media. DCO continues to be the only charitable organisation in Australia offering free online counselling to all people with diabetes.

This achievement earned DCO a three-year grant in 2012 from the Commonwealth Department for Health and Ageing. With this support, DCO will continue to work towards growth and recognition for its e-counselling services to ensure sustainability into the future.

Why DCO?

Helen started DCO as a solution to the lack of support available for her own issues with Type-1 diabetes and a growing interest in the impact of diabetes on mental health. There are double the rates of depression in the diabetes population and high levels of distress and reduced quality of life, which many people are not aware of.

One of the greatest achievements facilitated by DCO is its supportive community. 'People who make connections with others living with diabetes have far better management of their diabetes as part of their daily lifestyle. DCO fully understands and supports this, offering live chats with counsellors and community forums to chat with other users," says Helen.

The DCO website hosts extensive resources on living with diabetes, including information on food and weight, exercise, pregnancy and sexual health.

Community + Connecting

The team at DCO understand from experience the distress, depression and anxiety that can affect people living with diabetes. People who make connections with other people living with diabetes have far better management of their diabetes, mental health, and quality of life.

'I have read other peoples stories and realised I am like every other person with diabetes – I am not alone anymore," says one young DCO member.

'Diabetes is a condition that has an everyday presence and all those who live with it will understand there are no days without diabetes," says Helen. 'I firmly believe in the importance of developing a relationship with diabetes that is manageable everyday."

NOTE: Diabetes Counselling Online works in collaboration with other diabetes organisations, including Diabetes Australia, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Australian Centre For Behavioural Research in Diabetes.

Interview with Helen Edwards

Question: What inspired the Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO)?

Helen Edwards: Looking for help around my own diabetes and wellbeing and finding nothing

Being fascinated by the emerging internet (back then!)
Wanting to use my social work skills to support other people with diabetes.


Question: What was your original aim for Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) and has this changed since 2001?

Helen Edwards: To connect people with diabetes to each other and to offer free online counselling by people who understand life with diabetes. We aim to improve their quality of life and wellbeing by sharing our experiences and helping them work with living with diabetes. This has not really changed, just expanded!


Question: Can you talk us through what Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) provides patients?

Helen Edwards: All services are free and online via e-counseling, chats, forums and Facebook groups:
psychological, social work and counselling services
diabetes education and dietary counselling
connection to peers
support for family and loved ones
information, resources, plus ebooks and apps about to be launched
group chat sessions
advocacy and research around diabetes and mental health
diabetes retreats in conjunction with Diabetes Wellbeing Services


Question: How does Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) help families and friends of those with all types of diabetes?
Helen Edwards: We offer all the same services to families and friends. All welcome!

We will work with all types of diabetes including pre diabetes. Our aim is to be holistic and inclusive. Sometimes there can be divisions between type 1 and 2 in particular but we aim to bring people together, understanding the differences and similarities of each person.


Question: What feedback have you received for Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) from those with diabetes?

Helen Edwards: All positive. Many People are amazed to find they are not the only one to "feel this way".
Many feel alone and isolated and talking with our team changes that.
Lots of members tell us they have seen counsellors but they didn't address or understand the Diabetes connections. Our unique combination of personal and professional experience makes all the difference.
We have had people who have had diabetes for 30 years tell us they have gotten more from a week with our services than the entire time they have had it. People are often stressed at medical appointments and forget to ask questions. Members appreciate being able to come to us at any time, day or night as we're online.


Question: How has Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) helped you?

Helen Edwards: Before starting the service I had never spoken to another person with diabetes. I had avoided this as a teenager. The first time I sat in a room with other people checking their blood glucose was so empowering! Also having studied and working as a diabetes educator I know so much about managing my own condition.

I think all people with diabetes should get access to the course! I feel good each and every time 1 person says we helped (which is often) and makes the tough times without funding all worth it. Sometimes I just want to pick all our community up in a cuddle and tell them it will all be ok. Life with diabetes can still be wonderful!


Question: Can you give us an idea of the lifestyle tips that feature on Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO) for those living with diabetes?

Helen Edwards: We take a holistic approach with our multi-disciplinary team supporting stress management, relaxation and mindfulness practices; daily exercise that work for you and that you can maintain; healthy balanced eating plan; good support network.
We offer information about prevention and management of diabetes burn out and depression, which are common problems.


Question: What are your top tips for traveling with Diabetes?

Helen Edwards: We actually offer a whole section on the website http://www.diabetescounselling.com.au/living-with-diabetes-2/diabetes-and-travel/


Question: What other advice will people find on Diabetes Counselling Online (DCO)?

Helen Edwards: sexual health
pregnancy and diabetes, a special focus for me as am doing my PhD in this area
men and diabetes in our mens shed
food and weight matters
exercise and diabetes
stress management
family and friends section
health care teams
e-library with a variety of resources
our e-store and fundraising opportunities
ebooks and Apps to be launched soon as well as our special "Diabetes Dino" coming soon! (trademarked)


Question: What piece of advice would you give someone who had recently been diagnosed with diabetes?

Helen Edwards: Be gentle on yourself and take a day at a time. It gets easier. Life with diabetes can still be and is wonderful, so get all the support you can to deal with the down days and celebrate the rest.


Interview by Brooke Hunter