In my last post I mentioned taking mental health screenings as a part of Mental Health Awareness Month. Today I would like to further discuss mental health screenings. What is a mental health screening? A mental health screening evaluates a person’s mental well-being using a standard set of questions to identify potential signs of mental health disorders. They are intended to provide for early detection. These screenings help health care providers understand a person’s mood, thinking, behavior, and memory.
These screenings are usually questionnaires and can be given in a primary care provider’s office. The questionnaires include general mental health screenings, depression screenings, anxiety screenings, PTSD screenings, substance abuse screenings, and eating disorder screenings. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is often used to screen for depression. Two other common screenings include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). These screening tools allow the primary care provider or other provider to know if there are symptoms of a mental health disorder. When used regularly, for instance as part of a yearly physical exam, mental health concerns can be identified early. When identified early, mental health conditions often have better outcomes.
These screenings are a valuable part of a yearly physical examination but should also be used if a person is exhibiting symptoms such as sadness or excessive worry. Screenings should also be used when there are major changes in personality or eating habits and if dramatic mood swings are present. A primary care provider can gain a better picture of a patient’s mental health by using one of these screenings.
Mental health screenings are also available online. Mental Health America offers online screening tools that an individual can take. If one of these tools indicate that you may be experiencing a mental health issue it is important that you share this information with your doctor or a therapist, who can provider further screening and evaluation. This can lead to treatment if necessary.
When used as a part of a yearly physical it is important that the provider discuss the results with the patient. Too often providers see the results and just add it to the patient’s file. I would recommend that if you fill out a screening tool you ask the provider to review the results with you. This is important to ensure that the provider is not overlooking the screening tool. Unfortunately, I have experienced providers who overlook results. Luckily, in my case, I have mental health providers who are well aware of where my mental health is, and I don’t need to rely on a primary care provider for mental health care. But for many people the primary care provider is the only one they have who can catch any issues. So, do not be afraid to ask the provider for the results of any mental health screening you take. These tools are only useful if we review the results.
Being aware of the status of our mental health is vital to our well-being. We cannot take our mental health for granted. As with any health issue, early detection is crucial. If your primary care provider does not give you a mental health screening, ask for one. Take the initiative. Screenings make a major difference in mental health care.