Yes, many types of depression can be treated online with the help of evaluation and care from a licensed mental health provider.

Sesame offers convenient and affordable online mental health visits with licensed health providers across the country.

If your provider determines that you are experiencing some form of depressive disorder, they will discuss a treatment plan with you. This may include recurring video psychiatry consults, therapy sessions and or medication. They may also suggest lifestyle changes related to nutrition and exercise to improve your mental health.

Antidepressants are medicines that help balance certain brain chemicals that affect mood, energy, and motivation. When those chemicals are out of sync, you might feel persistently sad, anxious, irritable, or even emotionless.

These medications don’t create “happiness,” but they can make it easier for your brain to return to a steadier, more stable state. Over time, this can help improve your mental health, sleep, focus, appetite, and your ability to enjoy things again.

Some of the most common antidepressants for depression and anxiety include SSRIs like Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Prozac (fluoxetine), as well as SNRIs like Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine).

Depression medications usually take a few weeks to begin to work, and they’re often most helpful when combined with in-person or online therapy sessions and healthy habits.

No, antidepressants are not available over the counter. They require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner.

This is because antidepressants affect brain chemistry and need to be chosen carefully based on your specific depression symptoms, medical history, and any other medications you may be taking.

Depression medication requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, so you can’t directly buy it online. However, you can get an online prescription through telehealth platforms like Sesame, where you’ll be able to book a virtual doctor’s appointment with a provider who can write a prescription for depression medication if it’s clinically appropriate.

After your visit, your Sesame provider can send any prescribed medications to your local pharmacy for pickup or arrange for mail delivery, depending on your preference.

Yes! Sesame makes it affordable and convenient to get a new depression medication prescription or refill a prescription from the comfort of your own home!

To discuss a new online prescription or refill, book a mental health appointment with a doctor or nurse on Sesame. If antidepressants or another type of medication is prescribed for your depression symptoms, you’ll be able to pick up your Rx at your preferred pharmacy or get it delivered right to your door.

Note that providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

During your online mental health appointment, you’ll have a private telehealth session with a licensed primary care provider or mental health provider on Sesame who can help start a conversation with you about your mental health symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and other health information.

Depending on your needs, your provider may explore concerns related to:

• Trauma or PTSD
• Depression or anxiety
• Personality disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders
• Phobias
• Sexual health or dysfunction
• Relationship challenges
• Sleep issues

At the end of your consultation, your Sesame mental health professional may prescribe medication or other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to help you feel your best. They may also offer recommendations for follow-up care or additional services.

Yes! Telehealth platforms like Sesame now make it easier than ever to see mental health care professionals for psychiatry consults and therapy sessions. Mental health professionals on Sesame offer a wide range of psychiatry services such as:

• Talk therapy sessions
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Psychiatric evaluations
• Behavioral health consultations
• Couples therapy sessions
• Medication management (prescriptions and refills)

In addition, licensed mental health professionals on Sesame can address and treat mental health conditions such as:

• Anxiety disorder

Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Insomnia
• Performance anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive/compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Schizophrenia

This is not a complete list of psychiatric services offered by mental health professionals on Sesame. Use our search bar to look for the specific type of psychiatric care or treatment and book an appointment at your convenience.

To prepare for your video mental health appointment on Sesame, it is recommended that you have a stable internet connection and a private space to conduct the appointment. For your privacy, a quiet and secluded space in your home is the best place to have this video consultation.

It is generally recommended for all psychiatry consultations to jot down a few questions or concerns you may have prior to your appointment. Mental health professionals on Sesame do have the extensive experience needed to help walk you through the consultation, but it is still encouraged to come up with some questions or thoughts of your own to get the most out of your appointment.

If any other preparation is needed, your provider will reach out to discuss these specifics with you.

Most video mental health appointments will start with an initial consultation about your mental health history, symptoms you may be experiencing, medication you are currently taking, and your history with psychiatric care.

After this, your mental health provider can recommend the best treatment plan for you. This may include in-person or online therapy sessions (including cognitive behavioral therapy), a referral to a specialist, or medication management.