Mental health stigma is slowly decreasing as people become aware of the benefits of being open and transparent with their mental health concerns. This positive societal switch is resulting in psychiatric and mental health screenings growing in use as people look for answers and treatment.
You’re here because you’re possibly interested in a behavioral health screening, and you have questions. What is a mental health screening? Is it the same as a psychiatric screening? Is there a mental health screening test? If so, is it something you should get?
Keep reading for all the answers.
Definition of Mental Health Screening
A mental health screening, also known as a behavioral health screening, is a test with questions that, once answered, help a medical provider detect possible mental health disorders. It can also be a quick way for the doctor to learn more about an individual’s current behavior, memory, thinking and mood.
Types of Mental Health Screenings
There are several types of mental health screenings. Often, the patient’s self-reported symptoms and the doctor’s observations shape what screening questions are asked.
Mental health screenings and questionnaires aren’t official diagnostic tools, but they can help people (patients, doctors and loved ones) better understand mental health status. In this way, they fulfill an important function.
A mental health screening test is also available online for individuals who want to check their mental health by completing an anonymous psychiatric screening test. Examples of types of mental health screenings include tests for:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
Another type of mental health screening is the mental status exam. A doctor or mental health counselor regularly conducts an MSE to see how the individual is doing during the visit. The doctor observes the person’s attitude, emotions, mood, behavior, appearance, speech and language, insight and judgment, cognition, thought processing and content. A mental status exam helps the doctor or counselor assess the individual’s functioning and progress toward goals.
Commonly Used Screening Panels
Some standard panels used for mental health screenings are:
- Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a popular nine-item self-reported questionnaire that screens for depression. The questionnaire assesses information and symptoms related to mood, energy, sleeping habits, appetite, ability to focus, self-esteem and suicidal ideation. The result indicates whether the individual has depression and if so, its severity.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. The GAD-7 is a widely used seven-item self-reported questionnaire that assesses generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders. The questions focus on the individual’s symptoms over the past 2 weeks. The final result also indicates the likely severity of the anxiety disorder.
- The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. A 10-item questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization, the AUDIT screens for potential alcohol use disorder or dangerous alcohol consumption habits. A higher score on the AUDIT suggests a greater risk of AUD or experiencing alcohol-related harm.
Purpose of Mental Health Screenings
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 50% of mental health conditions over a lifetime start by the age of 14, while 75% commence by the time someone reaches age 24. But while symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and eating disorders start becoming evident at a young age, there’s a significant intervention and treatment gap of about 11 years. Mental health screenings can help identify emerging mental health disorders, allowing treatment to begin.
Other mental health experts say mental health screenings are necessary to spot signs of a disorder so additional testing can be done to diagnose the specific type of mental disorder.
What Are Mental Health Screenings Used For?
These psychiatric screening tests and assessments can help identify symptoms and problems, aid in creating a plan to treat mental health and inform treatment decisions. Screening can also help measure treatment progress, identify personal strengths, encourage treatment readiness and retention and promote positive health, behavior and lifestyle changes.
In short, a mental health or psychiatric screening is used to determine if someone has a risk for developing some mental health disorder, whether they need additional testing to rule out or diagnose a mental illness or disorder or if they need immediate help for their mental health, even before completion of diagnostic tests.
Who Can Benefit From a Behavioral Health Screening?
Individuals struggling with life or coping with symptoms they don’t understand can benefit from mental health screenings. Some common scenarios that lead to a mental health screening are:
- Parents looking for clarity about problems or difficulties their child is experiencing at school and at home
- Educators and teachers who want to be better equipped to help their students cope with challenging situations at school
Symptoms of Mental Distress
How do you know if you, your loved one or your child are experiencing mental distress? Signs may include one or more of the following:
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Relationship problems
- Problem-solving difficulties
- Stress
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Delusions, paranoia or hallucinations
- A major change in eating habits
- Changes in sex drive
How Are Mental Health Screenings Conducted?
A mental health screening test consists of questions about symptoms that may be present. The questionnaire inquires about a person’s mood, appetite, sleep patterns, feelings and other aspects of their well-being. The doctor or provider may have the patient answer written questions and then discuss them, or they may ask the questions directly. What’s most important is providing honest and thorough answers.
The primary care doctor may also conduct blood tests and a physical exam. The results of certain blood tests may indicate the presence of a physical illness, such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease, that can cause mental health symptoms. If the doctor has reason to believe certain symptoms are related to the brain or nerves, they may order brain imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging or a neurological exam.
If the psychiatric screening is for a child, the test questions are tailored toward the child’s abilities and age. The parent may be asked to answer a questionnaire about their child’s behavior.
Importance of Mental Health Screenings
Without mental health screenings, identifying mental health disorders could be delayed indefinitely. During that time, symptoms could worsen, causing significant disruption to everyday life. The goal of treatment for diagnosed mental health disorders is to help the individual learn to manage symptoms and adopt healthier behaviors to ensure a better quality of life.
What Happens After a Mental Health Screening?
If the initial screening results indicate signs of a mental health disorder, what happens next may depend on the severity of the disorder. The doctor may discuss treatments at this time, order additional tests to rule out other health problems that could be responsible or refer the individual to a mental health provider for treatment.
When you receive a mental health condition diagnosis, here’s what you can expect to happen:
- Discussion and diagnosis. The doctor reviews the results with you and shares a diagnosis.
- Treatment plan. Your mental health provider can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Depending on your condition, the treatment plan may include talk therapy, medication and/or residential or inpatient rehabilitation.
- Monitoring and assessment. As you work through your treatment plan, your providers continuously monitor the patient’s progress to ensure they’re seeing positive changes.
- Progression. You learn coping skills and build a support system so you can eventually complete treatment.
Where to Go for the Next Steps
Who treats mental health disorders? Many providers have the specific training to conduct a psychiatric screening. They include:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists and psychiatric mental health nurses, such as advanced practice registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse practitioners
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Licensed professional counselors
What if you want to take a psychiatric or mental health screening test and don’t know where to start? Mental health screenings may be available at clinical and community health care centers. Also, check out national mental health organizations, such as NAMI, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and Mental Health America.
Screenings are free, anonymous and confidential and have been scientifically validated as screening tools for many mental health and substance use disorders. Following a mental health checkup, many individuals want to gather more information about mental health, including apps or tools for self-monitoring their mental health. They also often seek peer or support groups to interact with people who know what they’re going through. Finally, most individuals are referred to treatment, mental health services and other support services after a mental health screening, should these be warranted or requested.
What if a psychiatric screening and psychological disorder test indicates the possible presence of a mental health disorder? The patient receives a referral to treatment or orders for more tests to diagnose the specific mental illness (such as depression or anxiety). If the doctor or psychiatrist feels they have enough information to proceed, they develop a treatment plan.
Still in doubt? Take an online psychiatric screening or mental health screening test and answer the mental health screening questions honestly. If you took the test because you’re worried about symptoms you’ve been having and the test confirms what you suspected, make an appointment with your primary care doctor for further testing and next steps. Remember, mental health screenings are designed to spot mental health conditions early so treatment can begin.
Mental Health Support at FHE Health
FHE Health is a fully licensed mental health and substance abuse addiction treatment center. We provide high-quality, personalized care and utilize evidence-based, scientific approaches. Your better tomorrow starts with us. Contact us now to learn more about our programs.
