Mental Health Screening Test
A mental health screening is a set of questions that helps a health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder. It is often the first step to see if you need more testing or treatment.
What this test measures
A mental health screening uses a standard set of questions to check a person's mood, thinking, behavior, and memory for signs of a mental disorder.
What your results mean
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and by your age and sex. MedlinePlus does not publish a single normal range for this test — always read your result against the range printed on your own lab report and discuss it with your provider.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mental health screening?
A mental health screening is a standard set of questions that a person answers to help a health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder.
What does a mental health screening measure?
It helps the provider learn about a person's mood, thinking, behavior, and memory.
Who might need a mental health screening?
Anyone can have a mental health screening. It can be part of a routine checkup for people of all ages, including children.
What happens if the screening shows signs of a disorder?
If the screening shows signs of a mental health disorder, more testing is usually needed to diagnose a specific disorder. Your provider may talk with you about treatments or refer you to a mental health provider.
Can mental health disorders be treated?
Yes, with proper mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment, people with mental health disorders can get better and many recover completely.
Related lab tests
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Mental Health Screening — NIH MedlinePlus
Last updated . Information is aggregated from official public sources and is not a substitute for professional medical care.