Mental Health Status Assessment

Question 1

Safety

Answer 1

Paramedic safety is priority. do not enter if not safe. ie. aggressive pt, look for weapons

Question 2

Appearance

Answer 2

Look for signs indicitave of mental health issues or poor self care:
Disheveled (untidy/dirty)
Malnourished
Signs of drug use (injection marks, paraphenalia)
odour
Eye contact

Question 3

Behaviour

Answer 3

Restless/anxious, irritable
Distressed
Agitated
Agressive (verbally/ physically)
paranoid or confused
Erratic and unpredictable
uncooperative
delusional
purposeless movements

Question 4

Affect

Answer 4

Affect is the visible reaction a person displays towards certain events eg;
flat, withdrawn
irritable, argumentative
agitated, violent
excited, bizarre

Question 5

Speech

Answer 5

Take note of;
Rate, Volume, Quantity, Content
Difficult to engage
Overly talkative
Loud outbursts

Question 6

Thought Process

Answer 6

Clear thought process, responding appropriately.
Irrationally jumping between thoughts
Vague

Question 7

Cognition

Answer 7

Signs of impairment include;
Disorganised thoughts
lack of insight
short attention span
poor memory
disoriented (unaware of day time place)

Question 8

Perception

Answer 8

Assess for auditory + visual hallucinations
What are they saying?

Question 9

Environment

Answer 9

Risk factors;
Alcohol/drug use
recent stressors ie. financial/work
sleeping problems?
Access to support ie. counselling/ psychologist - when were they last seen, care plan, under a CATT team
Compliance with medications
Triggers?

Question 10

Thought content

Answer 10

Suicidal/ homicidal thoughts
delusions

Question 11

Self harm

Answer 11

Thoughts of self harm/ harming otheres
Do you want to end your life?
Plans to self harm
Actions taken to self harm
Previous attempts