Key highlights from NDSD 2024:
65% of Albertans showed signs of needing extra support: This year, 65% of Albertan participants were recommended or strongly recommended for further evaluation, an increase from 58% last year.
Younger participants were more likely to need extra support—37% of those under 20 received a strong recommendation for further evaluation.
Stress and depression are closely linked: Our research revealed that higher stress levels were closely associated with higher levels of depression, with stress accounting for 60% of the differences in depression scores.
These results show how many people could benefit from extra support. Depression is treatable, and the first step is recognizing when you need help.
Want to learn more? Read the full summary report for more insights from the 2024 NDSD initiative.
National Depression Screening Day 2024: A Call to Check in on Your Mental Health
National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is a week-long initiative each October that helps people take a closer look at their mental health with a free online depression screening quiz. 3,244 people participated, with 2,498 from Alberta joining the conversation.
Depression is treatable
We focus on depression because it affects one in five people at some point in their lives. It's the leading cause of suffering and disability worldwide. Given that there is effective and reliable treatment, the problem is not how prevalent depression is but rather that less than half of those with depression seek treatment.
Feeling better is within everyone’s reach. Anyone can learn the skills to feel better, one step at a time.
How can this simple quiz help?
When you’re feeling down, anxious, not yourself, it can be difficult to take action and it may seem impossible to overcome these feelings.
But taking one simple step can move someone that’s struggling in the direction of learning the skills needed to tackle these feelings. The NDSD quiz has proven to be that easy, first step towards feeling better.
Register as a partner
Help your organization and community get #OneStepBetter and spread the word. You can help reach a wider audience by spreading the message to your network through social media and internally to staff. In our NDSD partner toolkit, you’ll have everything you’ll need – social media images, sample social media content, postcards and bookmarks, email signatures, and much more!
Thank you to our sponsors and partners
As our TV Sponsor for the eighth year, Bell Let’s Talk has been a key partner in bringing awareness to National Depression Screening Day. Their continued support has helped more Albertans to take the online quiz, encouraging people across the province to prioritize their mental health and seek further support if needed.
In 2010, at a time when mental health was far less talked about, Bell Let’s Talk became a leader in bringing awareness to mental health. Over the years, millions of Canadians, including celebrities and popular personalities, actively participated in discussions about mental health, offering new ideas and hope for those struggling, with the numbers growing every year. Ten years later, in 2020, Bell made a significant announcement extending the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative for an additional 5 years and an increase in Bell’s total funding commitment for Canadian mental health to at least $155 million. As of today, they have partnerships with more than 1,175 organizations across the country who provide mental health supports and services throughout Canada.
Calgary Counselling Centre has been incredibly grateful for its partnership with Bell Let’s Talk for the past eight years. Thank you to Bell Let’s Talk for all that you do to raise mental health awareness for Canadians!
Returning for the third year as our 2024 National Depression Screening Day Transit Sponsor, PETRONAS Canada played a key role in helping us reach a wider audience. With their support, we were able to run digital billboards across Calgary, highlighting the free online National Depression Screening Day questionnaire, making mental health resources more visible and accessible to Albertans.
Since its establishment in 2001, PETRONAS Canada has been committed to being a progressive energy and solutions partner, enriching lives for a sustainable future. Their commitment extends to the wellbeing of local communities, actively supporting charitable initiatives where they live and work.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to PETRONAS Canada for their invaluable support and commitment to raising mental health awareness and supporting Calgarians on their mental health journey!
ATB Financial returned as a proud sponsor of our Digital/Mobile Ad Sponsor for the fourth year, continuing its tradition of supporting mental health initiatives in Alberta. ATB Financial’s journey began in 1938 with a mission to help Albertans through tough economic times. Today, they have grown from a single treasury branch into the largest Alberta-based financial institution, all while maintaining their commitment to serving Albertans in meaningful ways.
ATB Financial’s focus goes beyond banking—they strive to bring their brand closer to people by uniting communities around shared passions and deepening their relationships with Albertans. This year, we are grateful to ATB Financial for powering our digital and mobile ads, which helped us reach people across Alberta. Their support ensured that more people were aware of National Depression Screening Day and encouraged to complete the online quiz.
Thank you, ATB Financial, for your ongoing dedication to helping Albertans take steps towards better mental health and wellbeing!
Alberta Blue Cross
For the past six years, Calgary Counselling Centre has had the privilege of partnering with Alberta Blue Cross, most recently as our 2024 National Depression Screening Day Social Media Sponsor. Their sponsorship helped amplify our reach across social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, allowing us to connect with a broader audience across different age groups throughout Alberta.
Alberta Blue Cross’ social purpose is centered on empowering people to live their best lives. This mission takes many forms, from delivering impactful health and wellness programs to partnering with community organizations that serve those in need. Additionally, Alberta Blue Cross equips its employees with the tools to make a meaningful difference, ensuring their commitment to community wellbeing shines through in everything they do.
We are grateful for Alberta Blue Cross’ continued partnership and dedication to supporting mental health initiatives in Alberta. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Valentine Volvo
This year, we were thrilled to welcome Valentine Volvo as a new sponsor of National Depression Screening Day. As the 2024 YouTube Ad Sponsor, Valentine Volvo helped us expand our reach, bringing the free online mental health screening tool to even more Albertans through targeted video ads.
Valentine Volvo is a third-generation, family-owned business that has proudly served Calgary for 75 years. They stand by the quality of Volvo’s products, their commitment to safety and innovation, and a deep dedication to customer service excellence. With one of Western Canada’s largest inventories of new and pre-owned Volvos, their certified and award-winning technicians ensure a top-tier experience for every customer. Beyond business, Valentine Volvo is passionate about giving back to the community they’ve been a part of for generations.
We extend our sincere thanks to Valentine Volvo for their support in raising awareness for National Depression Screening Day and making mental health resources more accessible!
Surge Energy Inc.
We were excited to welcome Surge Energy as a new sponsor for National Depression Screening Day. By sponsoring our 2024 Self-Care Kit, Surge Energy helped make valuable mental health resources available to everyone who completed the online screening quiz, offering practical tools for selfcare and wellbeing.
Surge Energy Inc., an oil-focused exploration and production company, is proud of the work they do and their commitment to doing business the right way. They prioritize the wellbeing of people, the environment, and their diverse stakeholders. With a high-quality crude oil reserve, production, and cash flow base, Surge Energy continues to make a positive impact while upholding their values of sustainability and community benefit.
We truly appreciate Surge Energy's commitment to making the self-care kit available to everyone who took the quiz, and for being an important community partner in our efforts to raise awareness about mental health.
Lydia Foundation
Action Dignity
Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation
Alberta Council on Aging
Alberta Veterinary Medicine Association
Alia Adatia
Alyssa McMasters
Ambrose University
Ambrose University Wellness
Anju Anand
Astralis Photography
Best of Kin
Better Business Bureau
Born Brewing Co.
Bow Valley College
Bridges Society
Business Council of Alberta
Cabin Brewing Company
Calgary Alliance for the Common Good
Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Calgary Economic Development
Calgary Firefighters Association
Calgary Foundation
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Captivate Benefits
CCVO
Centre for Sexuality
Champion Communications
Chevron Canada Resources
Chirp Foods
Citizen Brewing Company
CM Calgary
CMHA Calgary
Cold Garden Brewery
Court Ellingson — Calgary Foothills MLA
Courtney Walcott — Ward 8 councillor
CWC PCN
Datenightyyc, Datenightyeg
Dave Arora
Derek Hovinga — The Inbound Lab
Diamond Valley Chamber
Diana Batten — Calgary Acadia MLA
Eighty Eight Brewing Company
Erin DeSelms
Forward Housing
Frank Golding
Gian-Carlo Carra — Ward 9 councillor
Government of Alberta
Hannah Carnat-Gronnerud
Hell's Basement Brewery
Hive Developments
Hockey Calgary
Homespace
Hull Services
Immigrant Services Calgary
Impact Society
Jane Erugo
John Gerrard
Kourtney Penner — Ward 11 councillor
Krave Automotive
Kristal Hawryluk
Last Spike Brewery
Leftovers Foundation
Lethbridge Family Services
Lovleen Bagri
Mamas for Mamas Calgary
Melanie Laurene
Menzleague
Micheal Nikolai
Mike Ellis - Calgary West MLA
Momentum
Mount Royal University
Mount Royal University Wellness Services
Movac Mobile Vaccum Services
Nagwan Al-Guneid — Calgary Glenmore MLA
Naz Rahman
New Level Brewing
Northwestern Polytechnic
Ogden Cannabis
Optima Living
Perlin Foundation for Wellbeing
Platform Calgary
Pride Centre of Edmonton
Rachel Friesen
Resilient You Art Therapy
Righteous Gelato
Sarah Hovind
Silvia Galvez
Social Rise Inc.
Stan Chen
Student's Association of Bow Valley College
Tanis Larson
Terry Wong — Ward 7 councillor
The Alex
The Bridges Society
The Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association
The Dandy Brewing Company
Thrive Psychology
Tish Duffy
Town of Smoky Lake
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
Village Ice Cream
¹ The screening test does not attempt to offer a diagnosis but points out to participants the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and offers a referral for further evaluation if needed. Individuals can then seek further evaluation with their preferred provider.