Online Depression Treatment in Canada
Reaching out is the hardest part. MediNote connects you with a licensed Canadian physician (CPSO, CPSBC, CPSA, or CMQ) for a confidential phone consultation about depression. Your physician uses standardised screening (PHQ-9), reviews your history, and discusses options — therapy, antidepressant medication, lifestyle changes, and referrals — to build a treatment plan that fits you. Flat fee of $55 CAD, same-day availability, no referral required.
Content reviewed by licensed Canadian physicians. Last updated April 2026.
What MediNote can help with
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Postpartum depression
- Antidepressant prescriptions and refills
- Switching or adjusting medications
How a Depression Consultation Works
No video calls, no waiting rooms — a confidential phone consultation with a Canadian-licensed physician
Book a Time
Same-day appointments available 7 days a week. Pick a slot when you can speak privately.
Speak with a Doctor
20-30 minute confidential consultation. Screening, history, current symptoms, treatment goals.
Get Your Plan
Antidepressant prescription sent to your pharmacy if appropriate, plus written summary, therapy referrals, sick note if needed.
Why Patients Choose MediNote for Depression
Confidential and PHIPA-Protected
Your consultation, records, and prescriptions are protected by Canadian health privacy law. Nothing reaches your employer, insurance, or family without your consent.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Physicians follow CANMAT guidelines for depression: standardised screening (PHQ-9), first-line antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs), psychotherapy referrals, and structured follow-up.
Same-Day Availability
Most appointments available within hours of booking. No waiting weeks for psychiatry referrals to start treatment.
Phone-Only — No Video Required
Speak privately by phone from anywhere in Canada. No video, no app download, no waiting room.
Depression Consultation
- 20-30 minute phone consultation
- Licensed Canadian physician
- PHQ-9 standardised screening
- Antidepressant prescription if appropriate
- Written treatment summary
- Sick note if needed (no extra charge)
- Therapy referrals when indicated
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get treatment for depression online in Canada?
Yes. Licensed Canadian physicians can assess and treat depression through telehealth. After a confidential phone consultation using validated screening tools (PHQ-9), your physician may recommend therapy, lifestyle interventions, or prescribe antidepressant medication when clinically appropriate. MediNote provides this service for $55 CAD with same-day appointments.
Can an online doctor prescribe antidepressants?
Yes. MediNote physicians are licensed by provincial colleges (CPSO, CPSBC, CPSA, CMQ) and can prescribe SSRIs (such as sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine), SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine), and other first-line antidepressants. Prescriptions are sent directly to your pharmacy of choice the same day.
How does an online depression consultation work?
Book at medinote.ca/book and pick a time. A licensed Canadian physician calls you for a 20-30 minute confidential consultation. The doctor uses standardised screening tools, reviews your history, and discusses treatment options including therapy, medication, and follow-up. A treatment summary and any prescription are delivered the same day.
How much does online depression treatment cost in Canada?
MediNote charges a flat $55 CAD for the consultation. Antidepressant costs depend on the medication and your provincial drug coverage — most generic SSRIs are $10-30 per month and many are covered by provincial plans, workplace benefits, or trillium drug program (Ontario). MediNote does not bill OHIP for telehealth visits.
Is online depression treatment confidential?
Yes. MediNote is PHIPA-compliant. Your consultation, records, and prescriptions are protected by Canadian health privacy law and never shared with employers, family, or insurance companies without your explicit consent.
What types of depression can be treated online?
MediNote physicians treat major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), postpartum depression, and adjustment disorders with depressed mood. Severe depression, active suicidal ideation, psychotic features, or treatment-resistant cases may be referred to in-person psychiatric care for safety.
How long does it take antidepressants to work?
Most patients begin to feel improvement in 2-6 weeks of consistent use. Side effects (nausea, sleep changes, headache) are common in the first 1-2 weeks but typically resolve. Your MediNote physician will discuss what to expect and book a follow-up to check progress and adjust if needed.
Do I need a referral to see an online doctor for depression?
No. MediNote does not require a referral. Book directly at medinote.ca/book — no family doctor sign-off needed. If specialist follow-up (psychiatry, psychotherapy) is needed, the consulting physician can issue a referral.
Can I get a sick note for depression from MediNote?
Yes. If your physician determines depression is affecting your ability to work or attend school, they can issue a confidential sick note. The note states medical reasons without specifying depression, protecting your privacy with employers and schools.
What if I am already on antidepressants and need a refill?
Yes — MediNote physicians can review your current medication, refill prescriptions, adjust dosing, or help you switch medications. Bring your medication list and any recent lab results to the consultation. The same $55 fee applies.
Take the First Step Today
Speaking with a doctor is often the hardest step. MediNote makes it confidential, same-day, and $55 CAD.
Book a Confidential ConsultationIf you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call 9-8-8 (Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline) or go to your nearest emergency department. MediNote is not an emergency service.