Depression

About Depression

Depression is different than sadness or feeling blue, which are normal human experiences. Clinical depression, sometimes described using the term Major Depressive Disorder, concerns long-lasting and profound feelings of sadness, emptiness, or a loss of interest in typically enjoyed parts of life that significantly interfere with a person’s functioning.

CPA “Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Depression
CMHA Understanding and Finding Help for Depression
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario FAQ: Depression

Helpful Organizations

Niagara Health provides a variety of outpatient therapy groups for a number of mental health concerns, including depression. These services are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Niagara Health also outlines self-help options that people may find useful while they wait for services to become available.

Pathstone Mental Health is a community organization that offers free and low-cost services to children, preteens, and adolescents. Service options at Pathstone range from outpatient counseling to intensive day treatment and crisis intervention.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a non-profit organization the provides community-based mental health and addictions services. CMHA also provides information and resources about topics including employment, housing, and income, as these commonly intersect with depression and other mental health conditions.

The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario provides a variety of resources and supports to people with depression and other mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, dysthymic disorder) and their families. Resources include telephone support, community peer support groups, and guidance around accessing psychotherapy services.

Readings, Tools, Apps

Mind Over Mood, is a self-help workbook based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Mind Beacon and AbilitiCBT are therapist-guided online programs for depression, stress, and anxiety. Free for residents of Ontario.

MoodMission and MoodKit, are evidence-based mobile apps based on a CBT approach.

How to Build a Life, a weekly column published in The Atlantic that discusses meaning and happiness.