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Help Phone Lines

If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

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      • Eating Well
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    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
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    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
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      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
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    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

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Wellbeing

Depression

It’s okay to feel sad sometimes – everyone has bad days or can feel down. But what about depression? Is it the same as feeling sad?

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  1. Home
  2. Mental Health
  3. Depression

Mental health

  • Anxiety
    • What to Do About Anxiety
    • Panic Attacks
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Depression
    • Symptoms of Depression
    • What to Do About Depression
  • Stress
    • Symptoms of Stress
    • Managing Stress
  • Self-Harm
  • Suicide
  • Seeking Help
    • Families Supporting Youth
    • Youth Supporting Themselves

Depression is a type of mood disorder. It can change the way you feel and act and can also affect your ability to function in your daily life. It has both mental and physical symptoms – it’s different from typical feelings of sadness or grief.

This disorder affects people of all ages and stages of life. People who are depressed can’t just, “snap out of it”. You can’t make it just go away.

Depression can cause people to feel hopeless about the future and even think about suicide.

Thinking about death or suicide is a serious symptom of depression. If you or someone you care about talks about feeling helpless or is showing warning signs of suicide, find help right away. Call the BC Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

Depression is a common health condition. It is not a personal weakness and it is not anyone’s fault; it is a disease. There are also different reasons why depression happens.

Why do I feel depressed?

Depression can start for many different reasons, or sometimes, for no reason at all. Sometimes it can be linked to a family history of depression (your genes) or stressful life events – like the loss of a job or loved one, the end of a relationship, or other pressures.

Depression is related to irregularities with your brain’s activity levels, and chemicals in your brain that can become out of balance.

It affects people from all walks of life – of all ages, genders, ethnic groups, and professions.

Learn about:

  • Symptoms of depression
  • What to do about depression

Resources

Showing 3 Resources

BounceBack™

Support for low mood, depression, anxiety, stress, or worry. Talk to a trained coach on the phone and get resources for free.

Telephone
Learn More

Mental Health Check-in

This free, anonymous self-assessment tool helps you understand how you are feeling and reflect on your wellbeing.

Telephone
Learn More

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

Culturally safe crisis support for Indigenous youth and adults in B.C.

Telephone
Learn More

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Emergency Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency. For mental health support, call:

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support Line

310-6789 (no area code needed)

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Emergency Contacts

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support

310-6789