Dealing with Depression

Know that you are not alone and the feeling can be treated.

During these difficult times it cannot be stated enough that your mental health matters. As you deal with the realities of COVID-19, it is understandable that your mood may start to take a turn for the worse.

When these moods start to last longer and affect your daily routine – your work and relationships – it may be depression. Know that you are not alone and the feeling can be treated.

It cannot be stated enough that your mental health matters.

You Are Not Alone

Depression affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians, of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Everyone reacts differently to depression, and it should not be mistaken for just a feeling of sadness; the important thing to know is that it is treatable.

Your Mental Health Matters

The impact of COVID-19 has placed healthcare workers under tremendous stress, which can be draining to your mental health. Remember that you are only human. Be sure to meet your basic needs: eat, sleep, socialize, and take breaks. Check out this article on how to take care of yourself in any way that you need to.

Someone Is There For You

Don’t ever feel ashamed to seek treatment or care – the help you need is available. There are resources below that you can try, and a much larger list on our resources page.

If you are considering suicide or are concerned about someone who may be, call the Suicide Prevention line at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). You can also call the Canadian Suicide Prevention Service line at 1-833-456-4566. Someone will be ready to listen and speak to you.

1-800-784-2433 or 1-833-456-4566

Phone Line for Healthcare Workers

The Mobile Response Team is available to support the mental well-being and psychological safety of frontline healthcare workers who are experiencing distress and mental health concerns in response to COVID-19. Call: 1-888-686-3022 or Email: MRT@phsa.ca

Web Resources

For more information, we have compiled a list of resources to help you cope up with anxiety during these difficult days.

Phone Line for Healthcare Workers

Depression Self Screening Test Offered Through Here to Help BC

Here to Help BC offers a variety of self screening tests designed to look at symptoms that may be present in some mental illnesses.

Do You Feel Alone? You Are Not Alone.

Many others who have experienced depression have shared their personal stories.

Anti-Depressant Skills Workbook: A Self Care Guide

Using a cognitive and behavioural approach the ASW guides you to make important changes to help emerge from depression. ASW is available in multiple languages including: English, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, and Vietnamese.

Develop a Plan for Resilience

Workplace Strategies for Mental Health has created a booklet to assist in building a plan for resiliency.

Build Skills, Bounce Back

BounceBack® is a free skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered online or over the phone with a coach.

Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

The American Psychiatric Association has some recommendations on how