Introduction:
Diabetes distress, the psychological burden of managing a chronic illness, continues to impact nearly 40% of patients globally, with 2025 estimates showing a rising trend in younger populations due to lifestyle and stress-related factors. Traditional interventions, while effective, often fail to reach patients at scale or to address the stigma associated with mental health support.


Purpose:
This study explores expressive art therapy (EAT) as both a clinical intervention and a public communication strategy. By combining psychological insights with media-based dissemination, we propose an integrative model that reduces diabetes distress while creating broader societal awareness.


Method:
A transdisciplinary review was conducted across psychology, medical, and communication studies published between 2014-2025. Evidence from clinical trials and qualitative studies was synthesized with recent analyses of digital media campaigns and storytelling approaches used in chronic illness advocacy.


Results:
Clinical evidence demonstrates that EAT; including visual arts, music, dance, and chromotherapy in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress while fostering emotional regulation, adherence, and resilience. Simultaneously, digital platforms and media narratives amplify the impact of such interventions, reducing stigma and promoting health literacy. Creative storytelling via social media, podcasts, and community art projects has been shown to enhance patient engagement and normalize conversations around chronic illness.


Conclusions:
A psychology-media partnership elevates expressive art therapy (EAT) from a clinic-bound intervention to a scalable public-health strategy. Integrating evidence-based EAT with narrative health communication through social storytelling, podcasts, and community exhibits—reduces diabetes distress, improves adherence, and normalizes help-seeking. The model is culturally adaptable, cost-conscious, and ready for implementation across clinics and communities, advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Importantly, its participatory, creative practices help rebuild trust in care: they restore hope, strengthen shared responsibility among patients and providers, and support democratic, patient-centered decision-making.