How to Evaluate Mental Health Care in the Home Setting

The need for mental health care can be evaluated in the home. Needs can be assessed, although cannot override, the evaluation of a qualified mental health professional or physician. Harm to self or others is the first caution considered prior to any further evaluation. Self help books and articles are available, though caution is necessary to watch out for symptoms associated to further decline. It is helpful to the mental health professional that a journal is kept to indicate behaviors, moods, and other symptoms of problems associated with mental health difficulties.

Instructions

Home Mental Health Evaluation

• 1

  Assess and make sure that there is no immediate danger or threat to yourself or others. Identify age specific symptoms to mental health decline, as not all symptoms will be the same for all age groups (e.g., symptoms may differ between those of a 20-year-old male and a 75-year-old female).

  If you are a health care worker or family member who is gathering information for the evaluation of someone else, it is important that these behaviors be accurately observed for the best treatment outcome by the mental health professional.

• 2

  Discuss symptoms and review all current medications with a physician. If this is a self mental evaluation, it is of the utmost importance that you communicate any feelings of sadness and depression to your health care provider so he can provide proper medication or medication changes to help elevate and stabilize your mood.

• 3

  Establish a course of treatment with your mental health professional once the symptoms have been identified and the evaluation is complete. Therapies of various modalities and socialization may be recommended while the patient stabilizes on medication prescribed by a licensed physician or psychiatrist. It is imperative that the patient remain engaged in treatment at a moderate level during this stabilization period as not everyone reacts the same to medication.

• 4

  Schedule mental health visits regularly and get the necessary laboratory blood draws to assure that mood and behaviors are level and medications being maintained at a safe and therapeutic level. A physician or mental health professional will evaluate the need for continued socialization and therapy.