Assessment measures in mental health

Need for assessment

In order to understand the human mind and its barrage of emotions that emerge from miscellaneous inexplicable thoughts, one ought to know the mind in depth. The client as well as the therapist needs to play active parts in the process to self-growth and recovery. There is little help that can be offered unless the trouble is known. A high element of self-disclosure is required on the part of the individual seeking help. The help may be personal, for a relative, a child, friend, partner; as well as a patriarchal call in a school or corporate setting where assessments can be carried out to assess various emotional as well as non emotional aspects if an individual’s mind.

Individual assessment

The first and foremost step is the establishment of the therapeutic bond between the seeker and contributor of service. At an individual level this calls for building a good rapport. The stepwise build-up of confidence and faith between the specialist and the individual forms the leading process in care delivery. This is frequently followed by an in depth analysis of the individual’s psyche using different psychometric and psychological assessment tools. All procedures are carried out professionally with maintenance of quality and ethical standards. Assessment of children, adults, substance users, and senior citizens is all conducted using specific thought and emotions measurement tools. There are no invasive tests involved in psychological and psychiatric practice. All tests are performed with the consent and approval of the individuals as well as parents in case of children.

Assessment in groups

These are the norm in school and corporate settings. Group assessments call for the use of specific psychological instruments that do not mandate one-to-one instructions and involvement. These can be offered in larger settings and carry the ease of accomplishing vast measurements in smaller periods of time. Several of these results and reports are automated while many are individually and carefully evaluated. All reports are prepared with state of the art explanatory techniques and protocols.

Formal and informal evaluation

Sometimes assessment simply includes a diagnostic interview and detailed evaluation may not be warranted. Nonetheless, confirming a diagnosis (or a personality or leadership style in a corporate setting) using an assessment tool also provides a baseline for future comparison and monitoring progress. sychometric analysis entails the study of behavior in an individual; the thought processes, emotionality, anger, adjustment problems and social skills. The evaluation also includes calculation of intellectual functions like intelligence, memory, concentration, focus and attention span. When we know what is going wrong, we have better direction to set it right. The tests results make it easier for individuals, couples, children, parents, school staff and employers to take the appropriate steps towards improving personal and interpersonal performance in varied areas.

Individual assessment

Emotional turmoil is truly different from a physical ailment and need to be diagnosed sensitively with:

  • Unconditional positive regard
  • Detailed history procedures
  • Deliberate and alert testing
  • Empathic detailed interview
  • Honest and caring attitudes
  • The will and the urge to heal
  • Sensible use of apperception
  • Holistic and full health focus
  • Lack of counter transference

Varieties of assessment

Different tests are available for individuals, schools and corporates.

  • Structured clinical interviews
  • Children’s personality profiles
  • Childhood emotion assessment
  • Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests
  • Study skills measurement tools
  • Adult personality inventories
  • Substance use disorder scales
  • Geriatric disorder assessments
  • Group IQ and personality tests
  • Leadership-motivation tests

Need to test

Assessment tools are the guiding point to action. To improve on our thinking we need to identify issues that are hampering positive thought and optimistic action.

  • Know and understand yourself
  • Build self confidence and faith
  • Lead a more fulfilling existence
  • Motivate and influence children
  • Build a better work environment
  • Make a wise choice:help yourself