Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for many years — or if you have a condition called prediabetes — help should be easy to find.

You’ll feel much better if you monitor your blood sugar and take your medicine. Managing diabetes on your own can be stressful, so here’s a list of links to local programs that will help you:

• Education for type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
• Diabetes group classes (day or evening).
• Individual meetings with a nurse or dietitian.
• Sweet Moms program for pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
• Diabetes support groups for adults and children (Salem and Dallas).
• “My Pal Sticky” program for kids with diabetes.
• Marion and Polk counties Diabetes Care Collaborative calendar.
• Prescription assistance and diabetes supply discounts (national).
• Prescription assistance and diabetes supply discounts (Oregon).

Most insurance companies cover diabetes education services; please contact your company for details. If you don’t have coverage, Salem Health and other organizations sometimes offer financial help and scholarships.

It’s worth it! Taking care of your diabetes will help keep you out of the hospital and could even save your life.