Online screening tools for mental health are meant to be a quick snapshot of your mental health while a full mental health assessment or evaluation usually involves a mix of questions and a physical examination. Mental health is the basis for improving care to people with mental illness or conditions. They are designed to:
- diagnose mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, postnatal depression, eating disorders and psychotic illnesses.
- differentiate between mental and physical health problems.
- assess a person referred because of problems at school, work or home.
Other names: mental health assessment, mental illness test, psychological evaluation, psychology test, psychiatric evaluation
One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.
Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination and neglect prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental disorders, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding. Where there is no understanding, there is neglect. SEE: How To Get Free Mental Health Help
Why do I need a mental health screening?
You may need a mental health screening if you have symptoms of a mental disorder. Symptoms vary depending on the type of disorder, but common signs may include:
- Excessive worrying or fear
- Extreme sadness
- Major changes in personality, eating habits, and/or sleeping patterns
- Dramatic mood swings
- Anger, frustration, or irritability
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Confused thinking and trouble concentrating
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Avoidance of social activities
One of the most serious signs of a mental disorder is thinking about or attempting suicide. If you are thinking about hurting yourself or about suicide, seek help right away. There are many ways to get help. You can:
- Call 911 or your local emergency room
- Call your mental health provider or other health care provider
- Reach out to a loved one or close friend
- Call a suicide hotline. In the United States, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- If you are a veteran, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or send a text to 838255
How Can I Test My Mental Health?
Research shows that getting help early can prevent symptoms from getting worse and make a full recovery more likely. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable.
Online screening tools are meant to be a quick snapshot of your mental health. If your results indicate you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, consider sharing your results with someone. A mental health provider (such as a doctor or a therapist) can give you a full assessment and talk to you about options for how to feel better. To take an online mental health test Click Here
