World Mental Health Month rolls around every October, reminding people to check in on their own mental health and learn how to improve it. An annual mental health check-up can be a great idea — and you don’t have to schedule yours only in October.
Keep reading to discover what mental health screening is, why it matters and how it can help with holistic personal wellness.
What Is a Mental Health Screening?
Conducted by a qualified professional, a mental health screening is an evaluation designed to identify potential mental health conditions early so the patient can benefit from proactive treatment.
The concept of these screenings is similar to that of annual physical wellness exams or widely adopted tests such as mammograms. Preventive screenings can identify disease processes very early and uncover potential concerns that haven’t yet blossomed into a full disease process. In either case, proactive approaches to lifestyle changes or treatment can make a huge difference in long-term wellness outcomes.
Why Mental Health Is Just as Important as Physical Health
Many people make it a point to see their physical health providers regularly. Annual wellness checks, dental cleanings and vision screenings are par for the course for millions of people. But when it comes to mental health screenings, many people don’t even know they exist or why they’re important.
Meanwhile, mental health is as important as physical health when it comes to positive outcomes, including active lifestyles and longevity. For example, a 2023 study published in The Lancet found that mental health conditions are associated with reduced life expectancy. The study found that substance-use disorders resulted in an average of 20.38 years of potential life lost. Eating disorders, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and personality disorders were associated with a potential lifespan shortening of 15 to 16 years.
Poor mental health can also contribute to:
- Increased prevalence of chronic physical conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease
- Reduced desire to engage in healthy activities, such as exercising, keeping medical appointments or eating well
- Added stress, anxiety and depression that have direct physical effects on inflammation, blood pressure and hormonal balance
- Poor or struggling relationships and other barriers to staying connected and social
- Lack of focus or productivity that can lead to financial struggles
Conditions That Can Be Identified Early Through Screening
A wide range of mental health conditions can be identified through early psychiatric screening, including:
- Depression, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder and postpartum depression
- Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders and specific phobias
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Substance use disorders, including alcohol misuse, opioid use disorder and prescription drug abuse
- Sleep disorders related to mental health
- Eating disorders
How Screenings Are Conducted During Routine Visits
Screenings are conducted during routine visits and may include a brief question-and-answer dialogue with a mental health provider and quick quizzes. Here’s what you might expect in a routine mental health screening:
- You fill out standard forms in the waiting room. These are similar to what you might complete when visiting a doctor’s office for a sore throat. In addition to your name, address and other personal information, you may also answer questions about sleep, mood, energy, appetite, stress or substance abuse on these forms.
- You might be asked to complete one or more short questionnaires. These tools take between 2 and 10 minutes to complete and help screen for depression, anxiety, alcohol misuse, substance use and PTSD.
- A medical or mental health provider talks to you. A trained clinician reviews your forms and quiz responses and asks some follow-up questions. They may ask about the severity of symptoms, their frequency and how you deal with them. During this discussion, they also observe your behavior and note any signs of mental health disorders.
In most cases, providers explain the results of the screening, giving you additional knowledge about your mental health. You may find out all seems well, or the provider may have concerns about symptoms that indicate a potential mental health disorder. If that’s the case, the provider discusses options for further assessment and next steps, which could include lab work to rule out specific issues. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep, eating well and engaging in stress management tactics.
If a provider believes immediate impairment or danger exists, such as suicidal thoughts, they’ll likely offer you an immediate referral or intervention.
Reducing Stigma by Normalizing Mental Health Checkups
You can easily normalize mental screening by integrating it into your primary care visits. Mention to your doctor any mental health challenges you might be dealing with and any uncertainty you may have regarding whether you’re at risk for a mental health disorder. Your primary care provider can offer some support and refer you to others if you decide that’s appropriate.
You can further reduce stigmas surrounding mental health checkups by using everyday language. For example, you can refer to this screening as a “wellness checkup,” as this often feels like a normal part of self-care.
Consider championing mental health checks for your family and friends, too. People often remind each other to get dental checkups or schedule colonoscopies at the recommended intervals. Add mental screenings to those “society-approved” lists so those you love receive relevant physical and psychological care.
Taking the Next Steps After a Positive Screen
If your mental health screen has a positive result — meaning your provider believes you may have a mental health condition — take a proactive approach to care.
- Start by talking to your provider.
- Ask about the results, and ensure you understand what they mean.
- Discuss immediate concerns and treatment needs as well as long-term approaches.
- Ask for referrals to therapists and other mental health providers who can help you learn more about your disorder and develop a treatment plan.
Get in Touch
If you need help dealing with a mental health or substance abuse disorder, you can also reach out to FHE Health. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and how we can help.
