Mental Health Screening
Reviewed
Also called: Mental health assessment, Mental illness test, Psychological evaluation, Psychology test, Psychiatric evaluation
A mental health screening is a standard set of questions that helps a health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder. It is used as a first step to catch mental health conditions early. If the screening shows signs of a disorder, more testing is usually needed to diagnose a specific mental disorder.
Specimen: Not applicable (questionnaire-based screening)
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. 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.
You will answer a set of questions about your symptoms, feelings, mood, sleep, appetite, and other parts of your life. A provider may ask you the questions, or you may fill out a questionnaire and discuss your answers afterwards. If your primary care provider is doing the screening, you may also have a physical exam and blood tests.
There is no risk to having a physical exam or taking a questionnaire. There is very little risk to having a blood test; you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Usually, the provider who did the screening will explain the results. The results indicate whether signs of a mental health disorder are present and guide next steps.
- Screen-negative (lower-likelihood): No significant signs of a mental health disorder were found. You may not need further testing at this time. Limitation: A screen-negative result does not rule out all mental health conditions. Symptoms may develop later, or the screening may not detect certain disorders. Next step: Continue routine health monitoring. If symptoms develop or persist, consult your healthcare provider.
- Screen-positive (higher-likelihood): Signs of a possible mental health disorder were detected. This does not confirm a diagnosis but indicates that further evaluation is needed. Limitation: A screen-positive result is not a diagnosis. False positives can occur, and more specific testing is required to confirm or rule out a mental disorder. Next step: Your provider may order additional tests, refer you to a mental health provider, or discuss treatment options. Starting treatment as soon as possible may improve the chance of recovery.
- 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
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. A primary care provider may discuss treatments, order tests to check for other health problems, or refer you to a mental health provider. A mental health provider may do more tests to confirm a diagnosis and help develop a treatment plan. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 911, go to your local emergency room, or contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- What specific symptoms or concerns led to this screening?
- Have you or your child experienced changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or energy levels?
- Are there any thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or harming others?
- Have you noticed any changes in behavior, such as withdrawing from activities or increased substance use?
- Is there a family history of mental health disorders?