What to have ready for the call.
Note when symptoms began, changes in mood or anxious thoughts, impact on sleep or daily life, recent stressors, medicines, relevant health history, current supports, and questions you want to discuss.
A callback request gives the clinic a starting point to review the concern. Diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory requisitions, documents, payment, and next steps depend on that review; another setting may be recommended.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate danger, including a risk of harming yourself or someone else. In Canada, call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support when urgent but not immediately life-threatening.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a callback.
Common questions about depression and anxiety.
Can I ask an online doctor about depression or anxiety in Alberta?
For a non-urgent, non-crisis mental-health concern, an online request can help the clinic review the information and decide whether a virtual conversation or another care setting may fit. It does not diagnose depression or anxiety, assess immediate safety, or guarantee a virtual visit. For immediate danger or crisis support, call 911 or call or text 9-8-8 now.
What should I prepare for a depression or anxiety conversation?
A timeline, changes in mood or anxious thoughts, effect on sleep or daily life, recent stressors, medicines, relevant history, current supports, and questions can make a conversation clearer.
Can an online request diagnose depression or anxiety?
No. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms can have different contributors. A clinician reviews the concern and may recommend virtual discussion, in-person assessment, crisis support, or another care setting.
Where can I find official Alberta depression and anxiety information?
MyHealth Alberta provides current public information about depression and anxiety. It does not identify depression or anxiety in an individual, does not assess immediate safety, and does not replace 911, 9-8-8, or an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting.
Immediate support
Use crisis support, not a callback request.
AlbertaMD’s callback request is not monitored for crisis or emergency needs. If immediate support is needed, use 9-8-8, 911, emergency care, or an official Alberta crisis service now.