Is there anyone I can see on-campus regarding depression? And is it completely free and confidential?

And does it actually help, or is it pointless?

YES!!
There is the Centre for Student Development:
http://csd.mcmaster.ca/centre-for-st...ealth-services


It is in the basement of the student centre, next to the health clinic. The staff I hear is knowledgeable and helpful.

It can sometimes be difficult to get an appointment with CSD. They're especially swamped at this time of year and their resources are already stretched really thin.

If you have a problem getting an appointment, call Campus Health x27700 and book an appointment for counseling. You can meet with a GP who specializes in student mental health issues.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the info, I've had it for an extremely long time and now it's really gotten to the point where it's really interfering with normal aspects of my life and I feel helpless. Although I'm still not sure what kind of 'help' they can offer me, since most of them probably didn't experience this. Even my family physician didn't take it seriously when I told her.

I strongly recommend CSD - while it may be hard to get an appointment, there are always rush appointments reserved if you would like to see someone sooner. The counsellors are extremly qualified, friendly and helpful. The services are completly confidential. there are so many students who use CSD services everyday and they have tons of resources that you can look at online at http://csd.mcmaster.ca.

good luck!

Family doctors do deal with a broad range of aspects and may not be as qualified to handle the more sensitive aspects of issues relating to mental health.
The CSD is confidential; you'll meet with a counsellor for free. The only times they are required to release information is if:
- You are of harm to yourself or others (i.e. suicide, homicide)
- A health professional is...sexually abusing somebody, I believe

for evident reasons.

Then, depending on how that proceeds, you have the option of meeting with that counsellor regularly or you can ask what your options are regarding seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Now, psychiatrists aren't as bad as they're made out to be. In fact, seeing a psychiatrist is beneficial for several individuals because it is covered by OHIP and your medical files are locked; they are not open for public access.
However, many people do not advocate for psychiatry because psychiatrists are fully licensed MD's who can prescribe medication.
You are not required to take medication however, and you cannot be committed against your will. (There are finer points to these but since you're discussing depression versus violent agressive behaviour I'm not sure they're so relevant; you could always ask about this)

Another note about depression: I mentioned that if you're suicidal they are required to let somebody know. However, I believe in most cases this is when the individual actually has a plan and an intent to carry through on it. Suicide isn't a joke and even though that patient may have just said they wanted to die by Method X on Day Z in the moment, it's better to prepare for the worst which is why counsellors and psychiatrists ask for emergency contacts.

Discussing feelings of despair and hopelessness do not mean your family or friends will know about your sessions.

Should you choose to go with a psychologist, you're easily looking at over $100 per hour or per session (which is usually an hour).

The people at the Centre for Student Development are very helpful and VERY good with confidentiality.

Their website is
csd.mcmaster.ca

Their email is
[email protected]

Their phone number is
905-525-9140 ext. 24711

Their office is
MUSC B107, inbetween The Silhouette and Campus Health

Their office hours are
Monday - Thursday, 9:15 am - 8:00 pm
Friday, 9:15am - 4:30pm
(The office is closed for lunch from 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m)

You can talk to your regular doctor as well. A consultation should be covered under OHIP. It will only cost money if you see a therapist or psychologist - but this may be covered under yours or your parents insurance, depending on your job, age, etc. (My mom worked a basic job at a bank and she was covered for therapy, so you might be as well)