TALKING ABOUT DIABETES
Diabetes is part of you, not your whole story — you decide who to tell and how much.
Most people have heard of diabetes, but they don’t always know what it really involves. Sharing a little can make daily life easier and keep you safer in an emergency.
WHY TALK ABOUT DIABETES
Sharing the basics with the people around you can be a real safety net.
You don’t have to share everything with everyone. The goal is simply to make sure the people closest to you know enough to help if your blood sugar drops too low or climbs too high.
👥 Family & close friends
The first circle of people who can spot the signs and step in fast.
🏫 Teachers & school staff
So they know what to do during class, P.E., or a school trip.
⚽ Coaches & activity leaders
Sport and exercise affect blood sugar — they’ll want to know how to help.
🎓 College staff & roommates
Useful when you live away from home for the first time.
💼 Employers & colleagues
Helpful at work, especially around safety-sensitive tasks.
🚑 Anyone in an emergency
Even a stranger can help if they know what to do — a medical ID can speak for you.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
How much you share is completely up to you and your comfort level.
Even a little information can go a long way. The people closest to you are often the ones who notice when something feels off — letting them in means they can actually help.
💛 Emotional support
People who know what you’re managing can listen without judgement and help you feel less alone.
🔘 Help in the moment
If your blood sugar drops, someone can grab a snack, call for help, or speak up for you.
⏰ Gentle reminders
A friend can nudge you to check your levels on a busy day or before a long bus ride.
SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY
A few key people on campus should know enough to keep you safe.
If you’re shy, that’s okay — you can simply tell them you have diabetes and explain what to do in an emergency. You don’t need to share every detail of your management plan.
👥 Who should know
- The school or university nurse and admin staff
- Your teachers — especially P.E. teachers
- In college, your roommates
ℹ️ What they should know
- Your signs of low or high blood sugar
- Where your medication and HypoKit are kept
- How to help you in an emergency
WORK
Sharing at work is usually your choice — with a few important exceptions.
In most jobs, it’s up to you whether to mention your diabetes. You may need to disclose it if your role involves safety-sensitive tasks. Once you do, laws in many places protect you from being treated unfairly because of your condition.
💼 During a job interview
You generally don’t need to mention your diabetes. Interviews are about your skills, knowledge, and what you’d bring to the role — your health condition almost never has anything to do with that. You can always share later if and when it feels right.
⚠️ When you usually need to share
- If you drive a company vehicle
- If you operate heavy machinery
- Any role where safety could be affected by a low or high
🤝 Helpful for colleagues to know
- How to spot a low or a high
- Where you keep your glucagon emergency kit
- How to use it — and when to call 911
Before you go — this chapter is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Your medical team knows you best, so always check with them about your own targets, treatment, and any changes to your routine.