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Symptom Management

Community and Online Referral Guide for Cancer Patients and Providers

Cancer & Depression

Many people feel sad after a cancer diagnosis, while undergoing cancer treatment or after treatment has finished. Depression is much more than simple unhappiness. Depression is a treatable condition that can affect adults with cancer.

What Should I Do First?

If you are feeling symptoms or having changes in your mood:

  1. Talk to you healthcare team.
  2. Learn about how to manage your symptoms.
    1. Download a copy of Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario’s Patient Symptom Management guides for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, Fatigue here.
  3. Moderate or severe depression can be seen by specialized cancer social workers or a psychiatrist. Speak with your healthcare team to be referred.
  4. If you have mild or moderate depression you can access any of the following community or online supports.

Community Depression Resources

  • Check your Employee Assistance Plan services/benefits at your place of employment, you might be able to have these services covered.
  • Some agencies have sliding scales (where the fee or cost is adjusted), such as:
    • KW Counselling
    • Carizon (Mosaic)
    • Family counselling Centre of Cambridge & North Dumfries
    • Interfaith Community Counselling Centre
    • Lutherwood Family Counselling
    • Shalom Counselling
    • Woolwich Counselling Centre
  • Psychology today has a list of counselors in your area.

Community Resources

Hopespring

Call or visit Hopespring to learn about their programs. Speak to a Social Worker at HopeSpring in person or from home. Hopespring offers their services free of charge. 519-742-4673

Family Health Team

Do you belong to a family health care team? If yes, you can call your family health team to set up a meeting with their Social Worker. Call your family health team.

Canadian Mental Health Association

BounceBack® a free skill-building program. The program is designed to help adults and youth ages 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. 1-866-345-0224

Canadian Cancer Society

Provincial Peer support program: Monday to Friday program for help with local support group details, guidance on how to find a doctor as well as offering peer-to-peer support. 1-888-486-8236

Here 24/7

Here 24/7 is your point of access to addictions, mental health and crisis services in Waterloo Wellington. Services are offered by 12 agencies in the region. 1-844-437-3247

WRHN Cancer Centre

Talk to your healthcare team about speaking with a social worker. Social Workers at the cancer centre offer counselling to you, your family, or care partners. You must be over the age of 18 to access their services.

Online Depression Resources

eMental Health

Mental health help, services and supports

Health811

Search for health services in Ontario.

BC Cancer Agency

Helpful links to resources for emotional support.

Center for Clinical Interventions

Information sheets and worksheets to support you.

Trillium Health Partners

Training videos for relaxation.

Palouse Mindfulness

Free 8 week online course

Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program

Support and care service links and resources.

Logo for Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)
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About this resource

Author: Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program

Revised: October 2020

PEM#: WRHNCC0045

Download this resource (PDF)

Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca