Assessment in the mental health context Flashcards
Mental health assessment
The first stage of the treatment process. determines what a person is experiencing and how it is affecting their mental health. This also allows a mental health professional to engage with the person and developing a therapeutic relationship
Importance of mental health assessment
- familiarity enhances communication between HPs allowing for a quicker response
- Knowledge of the how’s and what’s of mental health assessment will support HPs in alleviating fears and anxieties of consumers.
- When there is no MH specialists available, the responsibility of MHA may be on a non-specialist HP to work with the person.
4 steps of biopsychosocial assessment
Reflection
relationship
recording
reporting
reflection
HPs need to be self-aware and realistically assess and evaluate their performance as practitioners.
This allows them to consider how they communicate and how they can improve their practice
- Sometimes, HPs must work with people who share different values than them. Eg. Differing religious beliefs, crimes committed.
so the HP must reflect on how this influences their ability to help the person
relationship
HPs must work with the person to achieve a common goal. developing a therapeutic relationship with them, treatment should be person centred and there should be unconditional positive regard towards the person
recording
Recording information collected allows for a structure thereby organising the way it is communicated to others.
Information must be legible and include date, time, place, people present
Info must be factual and the HP should refrain from statements that are judgemental when referring to the persons physical appearance, behaviour or lifestyle
reporting
HP should report their findings to colleagues or people responsible for care of the person, otherwise follow up will not occur and the person may have to explain their situation numerous times
mental state examination
Observation and information obtained from talking to the person
HP employ this took to describe persons appearance, attitude, behaviour, mood and affect, speech, thought process, thought content, perception, cognition, insight and judgement
clinical risk assessment
Suicidality, self-harm, aggression, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual behaviour, adherence to medication, delusions/hallucinations, medical conditions. Clinical risks are evaluated and steps are taken to help minimise these risks
suicide risk assessment
Gauges risk of suicide in a person
Mental state, past suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, impulsiveness, substance abuse, age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, support
It is important to note that suicide risk assessment only gauges risk in that moment of time, and risk may change quickly
psychometric assessment
Use of psychological tests to answer questions such as:
- Does the individual have an intellectual disability?
- What is their IQ?
- Is the test I’m using suitable for my client?
what kind of info do you need in an assessment?
- Reason for referral
- Current situation/functioning (history of problems, family Hx
- Personal history (occupational, marital, legal, psychiatric, dev)
how do you gather info for an assessment?
Interview Direct observation ( within session, home/school visit, from family, friends)
comprehensive mental health assessment, what do you need to look for?
Physical assessment
( is there a physical cause for this, has a physical abnormality exacerbated the MH issue?)
Triggers
(describe the situation or events that lead to the person seeking help)
Biographical history (childhood, family relationship, MH issues in past)
Collaborative history (speak to family/friends)
What physical characteristics do you need to look for, with the mental state examination
- Appearance behaviour, attitude Mood & affect - Speech Thought process/form - Thought content - Perception - Sensorium and cognition - insight and judgement
