There is increasing evidence that genetic factors play a role in the etiology of mood disorders. As a result, relatives of affected individuals are more often asking about their own risks to develop a mood disorder. From 1988 to 1990, all consecutive, unrelated inpatients and outpatients (index cases) presenting to the Mood Disorders Service, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, had detailed family histories taken, thus creating the Mood Disorders Service Genetic Database. Diagnoses for index cases and their first-degree relatives were made according to Research Diagnostic Criteria and Family History Research Diagnostic Criteria respectively. Morbidity risks for mood disorders were calculated for first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children--aged 10 and above) of all index cases with a diagnosis of single depression, recurrent depression, bipolar I, or bipolar II disorder. Morbidity risks were calculated using the maximum likelihood approach. Morbidity risk data are presented according to the sex and diagnosis for the index case in an easy reference format for risk counselling. The risks are presented twice, including and excluding data for "high-risk" families whose genetic pedigree is suggestive of "autosomal dominant" inheritance.