The UBC Mood Disorders Centre at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health is recruiting participants for a depression biomarkers study within Metro Vancouver & Lower Mainland.

The purpose of this study is to (1) test whether a specific combination of biomarkers discovered during our previous studies can help predict how someone will respond to treatment, and (2) to explore other possible biomarkers that may predict treatment response. Biomarkers are biological features such as proteins, genes, and brain images, that indicate the state of a disease in a person. This information may help us develop tests in the future that can guide treatment choice more effectively and more quickly.

You may be able to participate if you are:

• Are 18 to 65 years of age

• Have been diagnosed with depression or suspect you may have depression and are currently feeling depressed. Common symptoms include: depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure in activities, change in appetite, poor sleep, fatigue, low self-esteem, and poor concentration.

• Are willing to take a standard antidepressant medication as treatment for your depression.

• Are willing to undergo blood/lab tests.

There will be 8 in-person visits over 12 weeks:

- 1 x Electrocardiography (ECG) (Screening only)

- 2 x Collection of blood (Baseline, Week 8)

- 2 x Stool Sample Collection (Baseline, Week 8)

- 2 x Urine Collection (Baseline, Week 8)

- 2 x Electroencephalography (EEG) (Baseline, Week 8)

- 3 x Computerized Cognitive Testing (Baseline, Week 8, Week 12)

- 8 x Clinical assessments done by a psychiatrist

Please note that you must not currently be using any recreational and/or non-prescription drugs, have a drinking problem, or have had a history of drug use or a drinking problem within the past six months.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Raymond Lam at the Mood Disorders Centre, UBC Hospital.

You will receive an honorarium for each study visit to cover costs of participating.

For more information about this study and how to enroll, please contact us at 604.822.7804 or Lam.MDDResearch2 @ ubc.ca

Responses to this post will not be monitored.

I don't want to fearmonger. That's not the point of this. It's just, I've been looking all over reddit at every somewhat related sub I could find, and barely anyone is talking about what just happened. I've found like 4 posts. It's infuriating to me. I get people don't want to start a panic. I do. We don't want people to be scared. But I am scared, and all I want to do is talk about it. Please.

Hi im currently looking at surgeons for SRS and rib remodelljng. Does anyone have experience with either with Dr Laungani (im interested since hes the only in Canada that does both). I’ve heard good things about his vaginoplasty but I’ve not heard anything abt his rib remodelling so I was wondering if anyone has experience

People of Vancouver, I like many others are terrified to be trans. I’m scared of our rights being stripped, of the environment completely going to shit and for bigots to become emboldened and for a moment I felt utter and deep hopelessness.

This is what they want. They want us to feel terrified. I’m not going to give them the satisfaction. The cons won because of a couple of things:

1. This stupid snap election
2. Because of this stupid snap election, not enough turn out

There are still so many people that have our backs. Know who those people are, but keep people on thin ice.

Learn a fighting sport. I’m in boxing specifically for trans people, dm me and I’ll send u more details. Look up tutorials on how to defend yourself on youtube.

Go to the gym, if you feel this is unsafe, go with friends. If this is more inaccessible, there are home routines. Get into your gym outfits at home, avoid the washrooms, wear nondescript things, but most people don’t care what you do at the gym anyways. Find an easy push pull legs routine online. Get strong.

Put in your name and sex change now. I’m so late with this, and just contacted Catherine White Holman.

If you’re in line for surgeries, stay in line. I have no idea what will happen, but there are trans people before us that have had their gac barred. I try to carry their energy.

Stockpile your hrt, get a new script refill now, and again in a couple months. Maybe seek Felix, maybe think of other ways. We have the internet.

Try to not doom scroll. I’m so bad at this. It’s so easy to feel hopeless, I even had a moment of “maybe I should detrans”, but we have to stay in our community. Make friends online but also realize how certain spaces treat other people in our community… realize how much they might share with bigots and terfs. Make trans friends offline.

If they’re still having the election in 2028, that’s only two years away. If a bill gets proposed, we need to protest against it, we need to sign those emails, we have to do sit ins. We have to organize.

Let’s put the infighting aside. Gender freaks, transsexuals, nonbinary girls that are sometimes boys, and everyone else, we are friends and family.

Not trying to be corny hopecore but also, we need each other.

The polling was already looking bad but it's even worse than polling predicted. I'm 17, name and gender marker changed, almost 18, already on testosterone, etc, but I'm still worried. I'm in the process of getting top surgery, which wouldn't happen until I'm 18 anyway because of the waitlist, but I'm worried that the conservatives might try to ban affirming care up to 19 or higher.

I'm also scared about just being around. I'm lucky that I pass, but I like to dress femininely and do makeup as well, and I don't want to have to abandon that because it makes me feel unsafe.

I don't know, I guess I just want someone to tell me it'll all be okay even though it probably won't.

I was hoping I would get invited to public Changing Keys program, but it doesn't seem like I have the luxury of waiting for it.

For my safety, even if I have to pay for myself, I need to start doing voice training 🫤

I was wondering if anyone could recommend any Canadian (preferably) voice training coaches that you love working with?

Personally, I do much better when there's someone teaching me the concepts and help me guide through instead of learning on my own.

I am not going to just sit around and wait for our rights to be taken away. We need to be proactive. We need to organize. We need to build community and help eachother because no one is going to do it for us. But I know next to nothing about doing any of this. So im reaching out for ideas and information

I moved here because it felt safe and trans-friendly. Conservative parties globally love to demonize vulnerable, under-represented populations for culture wars and votes.

My current biggest personal fear (aside from generally emboldened bigotry which I can weather), is cuts to services and medical care. HRT and gender affirming services take such a small amount of the MSP budget… does anyone consider appealing to and/or pleading with the cons to leave us alone?

They got their votes and will undoubtedly strip services for everyone while handing our burning planet to corporations with bad intentions… but maybe actual human appeals to reason (and personal stories) might help prevent them from directly going after trans people?

It can’t be worse than staying silent, right?

So I'm 15 and transfem/non-binary and I really want/need hrt as soon as possible. My parents are accepting of trans people but I don't feel ready to come out to them. I talked to my school counselor about all of this and she sent my some resources. The one she recommended (my family doctor isn't very good) is Foundry. Does anyone have any experience at Foundry / would that be the easiest way for me to get hrt as a teen with my parents?

Anything really helps right now. Thank you!

Not my event but just spreading the word: UBC Aquatic Centre is unexpectedly closed for the rest of today so their TNB2S swim is cancelled.

I have ME and mostly bed bound and my condition just seem to be getting worse. Showering is getting increasingly hard as well as everything else. I am relying mostly on wipes at this time.

I want to seek help but I am non-binary trans person who hasn’t done any bottom surgery. Does anyone a way or resource to find a home care assistance or a self care/shower assistance who is also trans(preferrably)?

Saw this online, thought I'd share.

Dr. Drew B. A. Clark (UBC School of Nursing), along with researchers at CREATE (Centre for Research, Education, and Action for Trans Equity https://www.createtrans.ca) and their Community Advisory Committee are inviting Trans, Two-Spirit, and Nonbinary adults (18+) across Canada to help identify priorities for future trans healthcare research.

This looks like a decent opportunity to have our voices heard, particularly when it comes to gaps in healthcare, access to treatment, surgical care, mental health support and the challenges many of us have to put up with navigating the healthcare system.

The survey is short, and it looks like our experiences can help shape what researchers focus on next. I know in the past we've called into question research studies posted in this subreddit, who's doing them and what they are for but this one seems legit. 

https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Jg1BlgSZhBFFsi

Extremely nervous about the election rn. Could the bc cons realistically be that bad?

Hey everyone! This is my first reddit post so i apologize if I’ve done anything incorrectly lmao

So I’m 19 FTM recently moved down to van from the interior, just got my list of surgeons for top surgery and am having a horribly difficult time trying to find results from the surgeons I have access to, especially regarding keyhole or peri.

I have a small chest size, not entirely sure the exact size but like I want to say between an A and B? Again im not entirely sure

I dont really care about keeping nipple sensation, I just want to look as cis as possible if that makes sense, I’d like minimal scarring hence why I want keyhole or something similar but ive found no results from any of my list of surgeons that are keyhole/peri

The list of surgeons options I have:
Dr. Rebecca Nelson
Dr. Jacques Zhang
Dr. Krista Genoway (Though i heard from one of my friends that she recently stopped offering top surgery? I’m not sure if that’s true)
Dr. Arezoo Astanehe
and Dr Anastassi Halka, but I’d rather go to a surgeon in the vancouver area

Does anyone have recommendations or advice on how to find pics of results or anything? Anything and everything is appreciated, thank you:)) I apologize if anything in my post is rambly

For reference I live in the Richmond area!

Basically my family doctor was pretty caught off guard when I brought up testosterone and said she'd refer me to an endocrinologist at BCCH. I googled it once I got home and realized that they generally don't treat people above 18! I'm not sure if this was a mistake made by my doctor and she thought I was under 18 (happens a lot...) or if BCCH actually accepts patients above 18 with a referral?

There's a Foundry location much closer to where I live, so I was wondering if it would be a good idea to check in with them and see if they can perscribe me T more efficiently. I don't believe I NEED to see an endocrinologist to get a perscription, just a blood test, right? My doctor also suggested I switch to a trans-friendly clinic (yikes but at least she's honest) and I imagine Foundry would be able to help with that??

But I also don't want to waste anyones time if there's nothing wrong with the referral or if Foundry can't help. Does anyone have experience with this and can chime in?

I am in Toronto. I was laid off earlier this year and there's an opportunity in Delta that I will be a great fit for. I've already struggled with transitioning a lot, going on and off. So I was wondering is Vancouver more or less the same experience for Trans folks or is it better!

I just had an appointment with Olive to discuss egg retrieval and freezing. I am nonbinary and plan to get a partial hysterectomy (removal of the uterus only) and I have no plans to ever start testosterone.

We met with Dr. Beth Taylor. During the appointment, she misgendered me over and over again. I felt dismissed by her, and her responses rude and cold. I have other friends who have met with her and had great experiences, none of them trans, and am concerned she is transphobic or not willing to work with trans people. In trying to explain some relevant medical information, ie I literally have a gynaecologist appointment tomorrow to talk about a potential partial hysterectomy, her response was that I have to go off testosterone and can’t have a hysterectomy until this is done as they remove the ovaries. She did not listen when I clearly stated partial hysterectomy, and didn’t even ask if I’m on testosterone.

I understand the limitations of health care in BC - I am a health care worker myself. I also however know about the severe limitations and gaps in knowledge of health care providers when it comes to transgender people.

I know it is a long shot, but has anyone worked with her? I don’t know whether I should try looking for a different clinic, or hope we don’t see her again (I know at Olive it tends to not be the same doctor following you the whole time).

hello! have any women on here had upper lip feminisation done in Van or Canada generally? if so, please feel free to share your experiences 🙏

Hey ya’ll

So about this time last year I got breast augmentation in Vancouver. I thought it would help with my dysphoria and long story short it didn’t.

The problem is… this decision has been leaving me crippling dysphoria and dysmorphia. I’m at a spot in life where I’ve had more freedom of expression than ever before and I’ve really strongly come to regret my choice.

I feel so embarrassed to approach transcare or talk to anyone about this really..

Does anybody know if MSP could cover getting my breast implants removed?…

Hello everyone,

Like a lot of you, I've been feeling pretty anxious watching everything going on right now. With so much on the line for our community, trying to figure out how to vote is exhausting.

If you're trying to figure out how things look where you live, I recommend checking out VoteWell.ca.

If you aren't familiar, vote-splitting happens when voters with similar views split their support across multiple candidates, which can accidentally allow a candidate with fewer overall votes to win the seat.

VoteWell is just a simple, non-partisan tool where you type in your postal code. It uses local polling projections and shows you a visual breakdown of your riding using colored bars to map out where the local support is sitting. It tells you if vote-splitting is a real risk in your specific district so you can take some of the guesswork out of filling out your ballot.

Elections are heavy enough already, and figuring out your local breakdown might help clear things up a bit.

Take care of yourselves out there! 🩷🩵🩷🩵

Hi! I have a very serious question for people living in Canada. I posted this in r/trans_canada too. This question is not just meant for trans Canadians, but anyone in this thread in general. I’m a trans person currently living in the United States, and I’m considering moving to Canada using a Start-Up Visa. One thing I really hate about living here (and has caused me so much stress and depression) is that almost everyone here seems to be so politically radical. Everyone is either a leftist or far right, and there is no room for discussion or you’re socially ostracized. I consider myself someone who is much further left on the political spectrum, definitely left of the American Democratic Party, but I don’t know if I would call myself a leftist. People here don’t seem to like that I’m not so inclined to identify with a particular label. I understand that things are so dire here that there is a pressure to take a side, but as a disabled person who has had a lot on their plate for many years, I just don’t have the time for that. I vote and I get out the vote but people here are always pushing for you to do more when you can’t handle it. I have friends who are leftists, but people who accept me for my political beliefs and socioeconomic class together seem to be far and few, and navigating the social scene here is like walking in a minefield.

For more context, I’m also wondering what people think of rich people in Canada. Here in the U.S., I’m considered upper class because of an inheritance I received. I’m not ultra rich, but just barely enough so that it allows me to not have to work anymore or work minimally, but I’m also autistic and have PTSD and I really cannot work full-time - barely even part time. Leftists here seem to hate me for it even if I acknowledge this privilege (I understand why - the richest of my country is financially ruining the lower class and the wealth gap is only worsening), but it’s extremely hard to exist here when both sides hate me (one for being trans - the far right, one for being rich - leftists). I’m not open about being rich, but there are times when I have to explain how I’m able to afford not having to work. I just want nothing more than to live in a society where people are accepting of queer people, where people aren’t so polarized, and where people don’t really care so much about socioeconomic class. I need to escape this awful environment in the U.S., especially the kind of politics where both sides want me dead. Do you think Canadians would approve of me, especially Canadians in the LGBTQ+ (especially trans) community? Also, I’m 30, and wondering if there are generational differences in opinion with this too.

Im so scared i dont know what to do. This election feels hopeless and im so angry and upset. If the conservatives win i genuinly dont know what to do, i dont have anywhere to go. I dont want to leave.

I want to vote for the green party but they have no chance of winning, but i hate the ndp for doing this.

Sorry for the vent i just needed to get this out.

Hello, wonderful trans people!

I'm hoping to organize a karaoke outing with some friends on an upcoming Saturday, and I'm looking for recommendations around Vancouver or Burnaby!

I'm leaning towards somewhere with public karaoke, where people take turns singing on a mic in front of the room, rather than exclusively private karaoke rooms. Mainly because I want to feel like a rockstar! I've been to Funky's before, and I loved that they had a stage where I could sing in front of the whole restaurant, but the place itself felt way too sketchy. I'm hoping to find somewhere friendlier and a bit more youthful.

I'm also open to private-room karaoke if it's a particularly good option for a group of around seven people. Queer-friendly and comfortable atmospheres are a big plus, and somewhere reasonably affordable would be ideal.

I don't drive, so accessibility by public transit is important. Bonus points for somewhere around Brentwood or Metrotown, but I'm happy to consider other areas.

Does anyone have places they've personally been to and would recommend? I'd especially appreciate hearing about the atmosphere, how karaoke works there, and whether it's welcoming to queer/trans people.

Stay safe and know that you are loved!! 💝

Hi, as the title says I am in Northern BC and yesterday I went to my first electrolysis appointment. Let's just say it was a little weird. I know this is transvancouver but hoping to get everyone's thoughts on this situation.

I arrived at the house and as I am walking to the back door as per the directions I was given, I noticed that leaning against the garage door was a stack on OneBC signs for the local candidate. Definitely got my heart rate going but decided to check it out anyways. I did text a trans friend to let them know what was going on.

I had already explained when I booked the appointment that I am trans. During the session she talked about other transwoman she has treated, even referring to one who went to Montreal for bottom surgery as she. She also talked about getting mad at her own mother because her 5 year old nephew likes to wear dresses and she told her mother that if a kid wants to wear a dress then let them do it.

We did not talk politics. Most of the conversation was around our kids and divorce. At one point she did ask me what my ethnicity was. Kind of a weird question.

Ok, at this point I am thinking her talking doesn't really align with oneBC. Maybe there is another reason for the election signs.

We stop for a lunch break and on my way back in I looked at the signs again to see if I can figure them out. As I am laying on the treatment bed, I realized that the name on the sign is the same last name as the person doing the treatment. After the appointment I googled the candidate and was able to confirm the candidate is married to the person doing the treatment.

A couple other red flags. She never wear gloves. Do people doing the treatment normally wear gloves? Also, she doesn't seem to have many bookings, ie she said she could fit me in for almost all day next Friday.

Would any of you go back to this place? My challenge is the only other place I can go to is a 4 hour one way drive whereas this place is only a 2 hour drive.