It’s no secret that mental health is a problem in the United States. In any given year, one in five adults will experience a mental health disorder, and one in 25 will experience a serious mental illness.
But despite these prevalence rates, mental health disorders often go undetected and untreated. In fact, only 41 percent of adults with a mental health disorder receive treatment.
One reason for this treatment gap is that mental health disorders can be difficult to identify. Many people with mental health disorders don’t realize they have a problem, and even if they do, they may be reluctant to seek help.
But there are screening tools that can help identify mental health disorders in people who may not realize they have a problem. These screening tools can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and even laypeople.
Here are 10 mental health screening tools that could help save a life:
- The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
The PHQ-9 is a nine-item questionnaire that is used to screen for depression. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is a seven-item questionnaire that is used to screen for anxiety disorders. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)
The AUDIT is a 10-item questionnaire that is used to screen for alcohol use disorders. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)
The DAST is a 10-item questionnaire that is used to screen for drug abuse. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q)
The EDE-Q is a 36-item questionnaire that is used to screen for eating disorders. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15)
The PHQ-15 is a 15-item questionnaire that is used to screen for somatoform disorders. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C)
The PCL-C is a 17-item checklist that is used to screen for posttraumatic stress disorder. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)
The SCL-90-R is a 90-item checklist that is used to screen for a variety of mental disorders. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC)
The TSCC is a 33-item checklist that is used to screen for posttraumatic stress disorder in children. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
- The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
The Y-BOCS is a 10-item scale that is used to screen for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can be used by doctors, mental health professionals, and laypeople.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available, and treatment can make a big difference.
