A mental health assessment determines whether you have symptoms associated with mental or emotional disorders. Once diagnosed, Harbor provides counseling services and a treatment plan for recovery.
Everyone needs help sometimes.
The negative way someone feels inside -- depressed, anxious, wanting to avoid people, having trouble thinking -- may be more than the ups and downs most people feel now and then. If symptoms like these start to get in the way of your life, or that of a loved one, it is important to take action. Research shows that getting help early can prevent symptoms from getting worse and make a full recovery more likely.
Mental Health Assessment
The first step is to get a mental health assessment. You’ll answer questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You may be asked about your symptoms in more detail, such as how they affect your day-to-day life, what makes them better or worse, and if you’ve tried to manage them on your own. Your doctor will also observe your appearance and behavior: Are you irritable, shy, or aggressive? Do you make eye contact? Are you talkative? How do you appear, compared with others your age?
During the assessment, your doctor will gauge your ability to think clearly, recall information, and use mental reasoning. You may take tests of basic tasks, like focusing your attention, remembering short lists, recognizing common shapes or objects, or solving simple math problems. You may answer questions about your ability to do daily responsibilities, like caring for yourself or going to work.
Treatment
Once the assessment is complete, a treatment program will be recommended including the services that are most likely to help you. These services may include
- Counseling with a therapist or a doctor
- Group Counseling
- Case Management
- Primary Care
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment
