ABOUT 20 per cent of Canadians will experience clinical depression at some point in their lives. Symptoms of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities can be triggered by major life events such as job loss, the end of a relationship, or other stresses. Sometimes there is no obvious cause. Treatment often includes antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or both. But for some people, these treatments are ineffective.

Thanks to funding from the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), also known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, is now available at the Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre at Royal Columbian Hospital.

“Being able to offer TMS in the public system will improve patient care because there is a huge unmet need for this treatment,” says Dr. Nathan Unger, psychiatrist. “TMS has a really unique place in the treatment algorithm for patients with depression who haven’t responded to multiple medications.”

TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in certain areas of the brain that influence mood and other mental states. A magnetic coil is placed over the head to deliver targeted energy to help regulate brain activity and improve symptoms of depression.

The treatment is available to eligible adults receiving support from a Fraser Health mental health and substance use program, with a focus on clients experiencing treatment-resistant depression.

• Each appointment takes about 30 minutes.
• Treatment is delivered five days a week for four to six weeks, for a total of 20 to 30 sessions.
• Side effects are minimal, and people can resume regular daily activities, including driving, immediately after treatment.

“Over four to six weeks, patients may notice improvements in their mood, sleep, appetite and overall functioning,” adds Dr. Unger. “We expect 50 to 60 per cent of patients will experience improvement in their symptoms.”

“This is an example of how philanthropy allows us to work closely with frontline caregivers to identify emerging needs and invest in the tools, training and technologies that support them,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “Each year, donors help us fund millions of dollars in equipment, ensuring that our teams can continue to deliver leading-edge care when it matters most.”

The TMS program is one of many services that support people at the Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre at Royal Columbian Hospital. Opened in 2020, the Centre offers inpatient and outpatient services, including:

• A reproductive psychiatry clinic supporting women and their families during pregnancy and the post-partum period.
• Urgent Care Response Centre for people who need urgent, timely assessment without hospital admission.
• Group therapy programs for patients with conditions such as depression or anxiety.
• A neuropsychology clinic offering specialized cognitive assessment.
• An electroconvulsive therapy clinic
• Substance use services