DEPRESSION
INTRODUCTION
Your child/youth has been referred to our clinic for assessment of their mental health concerns.
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from a child's life. It is normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. You can expect these feelings after the death of a pet or a move to a new city. However, if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
A child may be depressed if he or she:
Is irritable, sad, withdrawn, or bored most of the time
Does not take pleasure in things he or she used to enjoy
A child who is depressed may also:
Lose or gain weight
Sleep too much or too little
Feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty
Have trouble concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
Think about death or suicide a lot
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
At the initial visit, the paediatrician will spend 60-75 minutes with you and your child/youth. Part of the visit will include a private interview with your child/youth.
RESOURCES
While you wait for your initial assessment, we highly recommend looking at the following resources and engaging with community supports in Brant or Haldimand Norfolk County.
While medication may be recommended by the paediatrician, we also recommend counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for the best chance of helping your child/youth recover from depression. CBT teaches people how their thoughts, feelings, and actions work together. It also teaches skills such as healthy thinking, problem solving, and stress management.
Depression is very treatable, and for children and youth, early treatment is important so that they can return back to school and their lives. Please do not wait for the paediatrician’s assessment - register your child for therapy/counselling as soon as possible.
OHIP-Covered Therapy
Contact Brant (Brantford)
Self-refer by calling 519-758-8228 or by email at information@contactbrant.net
Walk-in mental health clinic appointments are also available by:
Calling 519-752-5308 and press ‘0’ OR texting 226-920-4427
Haldimand Norfolk REACH (if you live in Haldimand-Norfolk County)
Self-refer by phoning 519-587-2441 or 1-800-265-8087
Walk-in mental health clinic appointments are also available by:
Calling 519-410-1502
Qualia Counselling (if you live on Ohsweken and are covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations)
Self-refer by calling 1-844-380-3228
BounceBack Ontario (virtual/telephone CBT for youth 15 years+)
Visit their website: Bouncebackontario.ca
Self-refer by completing the online referral form: BounceBack Referral Form
OR have your family physician or nurse practitioner complete a referral form
Private Therapy (paid through insurance or out of pocket):
Brantford
Guthrie and Associates Inc. (tel: 519-752-8280)
Willowbridge Community Services (tel: 519-753-4173)
Qualia Counselling (tel: 1-844-380-3228)
Dr. Gregory Knoll (Psychologist) (tel: 519-802-7235)
Simcoe
Harmony Counselling and Psychotherapy (Kerri Stone) (tel: 519-428-7979 or email harmony-counselling@hotmail.com)
Please also check your work’s EAP program to see if you have coverage
Crisis Lines (if your child/youth requires immediate telephone assistance):
St. Leonard’s Society (Brantford): 1-866-811-7188
REACH (Haldimand Norfolk County): 1-866-327-3224
Kids Help Phone: Tel: 1-800-668-6868 OR Text 686868