by Bryn Murphy
Mental health is an important part of living well with type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet it is often overlooked. Managing T1D is a constant, everyday responsibility that can bring emotional challenges such as stress, burnout, and diabetes distress—not only for individuals, but also for caregivers and families. These experiences are common and highlight the need for accessible, meaningful mental health support across the T1D community.
The good news is that the right supports can make a real difference. Programs that offer education, peer connection, mentorship, and practical tools can help people feel more supported, better able to cope with the burden, and more connected as they navigate living with T1D or support family members through it.
To help bring more of these supports to life, Breakthrough T1D Canada launched the Mental Health and T1D Community Grants Program in 2023 as part of its Mental Health Strategy for T1D. This initiative successfully funded five innovative projects that supported mental health and wellness in the T1D community. In 2026, the program is expanding by funding two additional community-led projectsto support new or expanded initiatives over a period of up to 18 months, helping turn promising ideas into real-world impact. We received a variety of competitive applications and are thankful to our review panel made up of mental health and medical professionals and people with lived experience of T1D that shaped the decision of which projects to fund.
Together, these projects are helping to build stronger, more responsive mental health supports for people living with T1D and those who care for them.
Millimole Club: Podcast and Communication Tools for the T1D Community
The Millimole Club, founded by Ariane Archambault, is a Quebec-based French language community initiative created by and for adults living with T1D. The organization focuses on building connection, reducing isolation, and promoting well-being through community, storytelling, and shared experiences.
This project will expand their existing work by producing two new seasons of the podcast Diabétiquement parlant—a total of 20 episodes—while also developing new digital tools, including a website and newsletter, to improve access to resources and support.
Through expert interviews and real-life stories, the project will explore topics like stress, anxiety, burnout, and the day-to-day mental load of managing T1D. By combining evidence-based information with lived experience, it aims to provide relatable, practical support for the community.
By creating accessible, French-language content and strengthening connections within the community, this project aims to normalize these challenges, reduce isolation, and support overall mental well-being in adults with T1D.
Listen to their podcast, Diabétiquement parlant, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Diabetes Hope Foundation: Dating, Intimacy, and Type 1 Diabetes: A Young Adult Resource Project
The Diabetes Hope Foundation is a Canadian not-for-profit organization focused on supporting youth with T1D as they transition to adulthood. Their mission is to empower youth with T1D and their supporters by providing financial, social and informational support.
Their newly funded project, Dating, Intimacy, and Type 1 Diabetes, will create a range of accessible, youth-friendly resources that explore how T1D intersects with relationships, intimacy, and sexual health. Designed primarily for young adults aged 17–24 living with T1D, as well as their partners, the project will include interactive guides, social media content, blog posts, a podcast series, and short videos featuring the real experiences of young people living with T1D. These resources aim to help individuals navigate relationships with greater confidence.
By working closely with youth and clinicians, the initiative will ensure that all content is both relevant and accurate. Ultimately, the goal is to help young people build healthy, supportive relationships, feel less alone in their experiences, and better manage the emotional aspects of living with T1D.
This work addresses an important gap, as topics like dating and intimacy are often difficult to talk about and are not widely covered in existing diabetes resources. By creating safe, relatable, and easy-to-access information, this project will aim reduce stigma and support the mental well-being of youth living with T1D.
Learn more about the Diabetes Hope Foundation and their work.
To support these projects, or Breakthrough T1D Canada’s Mental Health Strategy more generally, please contact Liza Smithies, LSmithies@BreakthroughT1D.ca.
For questions about the Mental Health and T1D Community Grants Program, please contact grants@breakthrought1d.ca.
Access our mental health resources or find a registered mental health provider near you.
