According Stats Canada, 5.3% of Canadians aged 15 years or over “met the criteria for a mood disorder in the previous 12-months”. What does this mean?

Depression is common.

Mood disorders include “major depression” and bipolar disorder. But this statistic does not include the much larger numbers of Canadians who experience symptoms of depression not at a “clinical level”.

Even if you do not have a diagnosis of depression, counselling can help reduce or alleviate your symptoms:

• hopelessness
• sadness
• worthlessness
• guilt
• fatigue/lack of energy/motivation
• withdrawal from others or from activities you previously enjoyed

Counselling for depression can help you to:

• deal with the symptoms including negative and intrusive thoughts, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating
• find hope, meaning and motivation
• work through current or past issues contributing to your depression
• silence the critical voice that contributes to your depression
• feel less overwhelmed and give you skills to cope more effectively
• find ways to increase your social supports and decrease isolation
• create a life worth living

Depression can leave you feeling lonely and vulnerable. Just know that you are not alone and that you can benefit from counselling.