Sometimes the biggest barrier to seeking help for depression or anxiety is just getting out the door.

Millions of Canadians suffer quietly because they think they aren't bad enough to need help or aren't sure exactly who to talk to or where to go.

With a program out of the University of Regina and in conjunction with several Saskatchewan health authorities including the Five Hills Health Region (FHHR), people are able to receive free Internet-Based Cognitive Therapy.

It's called the Well-Being Course. Made up of 5 modules that you work through during the course of 8 weeks with the help of a qualified counsellor, or "e-counsellor". Through online questionnaires, reading material, and emails between the participant and the counsellor, many people have found support and help.

While not a replacement for face-to-face counselling, it is built for people suffering from mild forms of depression and anxiety. They also get the contact information of the participants local physician just in case of an emergency.

Cara McDavid is with the FHHR, and says this type of support can help a lot of different people.

"In the province of Saskatchewan, over 700 people have enrolled in the Well-Being Course. I think it's particularly helpful for people that have a job where they have very different hours, or if you're a parent of young children and it's harder for you to engage in face-to-face services, it's a great way access the information."

McDavid said that 94% of the people that have participated have found the course helpful and would recommend it to others.

You can get more information and see if you qualify by heading to the FHHR website or going to www.onlinetherapyuser.ca.