Mental Health
Patients need to be assessed for the following at their initial visit, annually and at times of life transitions .
1
Assess the mental health of patient.
Clinician actions
- Employ age appropriate standardized instruments to routinely screen for depression (NDDI-E, NDDI-E, PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7, brEASI), and suicidality.
- Share the psychiatric and mental health therapy resources that are available at your center or in your community.
- Consider prescribing or referring to providers for appropriate treatments (antidepressants, anxiolytics, and/or mood stabilizers) combined with behavioral support and counseling. Consider interactions between these medications and ASMs.
- Provide at-risk patients with safety planning, suicide hotline information (988), and discuss when to call 911. (If not in the US, provide your national numbers)
2
Assess for alcohol and other substance dependence.
Clinician actions
- Provide appropriate referrals for substance dependence treatment.
3
Assess the mental health of the caregiver(s).
Clinician actions
- Express the importance of self-care and provide resources to caregivers, including connection with other families, community services, and respite care.
Conversation tips
Learn how to discuss mental health with your patients