Mental Health Screening
Reviewed
Also called: Mental health assessment, Mental illness test, Psychological evaluation, Psychology test, Psychiatric evaluation
A mental health screening (also called a "mental illnesses test" or a "psychology test") is a standard set of questions that you answer.
Specimen: Not applicable (questionnaire-based screening)
Urgent safety information
If you or someone you know needs immediate help for a mental health disorder: Call 911 or go to your local emergency room, Contact a crisis hotline. In the United States, you can reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time: Call or text 988.
Emergency numbers on this page are for the United States. Outside the US, call your local emergency number.
Why this test may be ordered
- To check for signs of a mental disorder as part of a routine checkup
- To see if a person has a risk for developing a mental disorder
- To determine if more testing is needed to diagnose or rule out a mental health disorder
- To see if treatment for a mental disorder is working
- To help a primary care provider decide if a person needs to see a mental health provider
Preparation and collection
You usually don't need any special preparations for a mental health screening. If your child is having a screening, you may be asked to keep notes on your child's behavior for a few days before the test.
If you are having a mental health screening, you'll answer a set of questions about your symptoms. A provider may ask you the questions or you may fill out a questionnaire and discuss your answers afterwards. It's important that your answers are honest and complete.
There is no risk to having a physical exam or completing a questionnaire. There is very little risk to having a blood test.
Understanding results
Usually, the provider who did the screening will explain the results.
- Signs of a mental health disorder: If the results show signs of a mental health disorder, the next steps depend on the type of disorder and how serious it may be. Limitation: A mental health provider may do more tests to confirm a diagnosis and help develop a treatment plan. Next step: If a primary care provider did the screening, the provider may: Talk with you about treatments, Order tests to check for other health problems that may be causing symptoms, Refer you or your child to a mental health provider.
- Possible physical cause of symptoms: certain blood tests can show if a physical condition, such as thyroid disease or an electrolyte imbalance, is causing mental health symptoms. Limitation: There are no medical tests that can diagnose mental health disorders. Next step: If your provider thinks your symptoms could be caused by physical problems with your brain or nerves, you may have a neurological exam or imaging tests of your brain.
- A mental health screening is not diagnostic; it only identifies possible signs of a disorder.
- False positives (screen-positive when no disorder exists) and false negatives (screen-negative when a disorder is present) are possible.
- The screening relies on honest and complete answers from the person being screened.
- Results may be influenced by the person's mood, environment, or understanding of the questions.
- The screening does not replace a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by a mental health professional.
What to do next
Starting treatment as soon as possible may improve the chance of recovery.
- What do my screening results mean?
- Do I need more tests or a full evaluation?
- Should I see a mental health provider?
- What treatment options are available to me?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.