Mental Health Intake Form Analysis

This level of performance can sometimes have a long-lasting impact on a client’s live, therefore every possible step must be taken to insure an adequate mental health intake form is assessment being used to evaluate a client. Therefore, establishing a criterion unto which a score will be interpreted as of noticeable difference based on the purpose of the assessment. The purpose of this is some different clients can be classified into various groups. The number one priority is establishing a standard is to define the standard. This definition is not the binding, but is the reasoning behind the assessment. The establishment may be along any type of continuum, such as a quarterback’s passing rating, or a running back rushing average. Each standard is unique to its own real world assessment. Meaning the established scale should be a valid measure in a manner that is use able in a real-world assessment. Once a base for a standard has been established the next step is too look at the standard from a practical standpoint of the mental health intake assessment form. This often involves the judgment of a clinical social worker or psychologist on the forms effectiveness. Finally, with the logistics of establishing a standard for a mental health intake form has been established the process of formatting and styling the form can be addressed as well as using good

Contemporary Challenges in Mental Health Care Provision and Management 2 B73M20 Cohort 09/09 Student ID: 20328

This particular mental health intake form contains seven pages of questions concerning the client’s current mental health status and past mental health status, as well as addresses medical history and social environment. The form appears to completely cover the client’s medical and mental health history, as well as gathers pertinent information about the client’s family history. However, there seems to be a lack of questions regarding the client’s environment. For example, there are no questions concerning the client’s living situation.

Of the 51 questions relating to the client, each field reports basic demographic information about the client, the client’s parents if the referred individual is a minor, and other household members. While I do understand the need for each of the required fields coming from the

The client’s name is Keisha, she is a female, single, sixteen years old, African American, high school student. She was transferred recently to a nontraditional high school, to complete the required credits needed to receive her high school diploma. According to her transcripts she is passing her classes satisfactorily. Keisha is scheduled to graduate on time by the summer of 2018. The client was referred to mental health counseling by her grandmother because she appears to be depressed. The grandmother stated that “student lost her mother when she was seven years old, and thinks she is sad about that” .The school psychiatric social worker referred the client to me in order to conduct a mental health assessment. Per her

This intake packet is lengthy. I do believe it would be beneficial to the client if there were not so many questions. People coming in for services already have concerns or issues they are trying to work through. Many times, clients feel overwhelmed or anxious about beginning mental health services. This intake form, with all its questions and nine pages, may contribute to increased anxiety or be overwhelming for people. The questions are

Does the intake form ask all of the necessary questions to determine what the client’s presenting problem is? I think this form does an adequate asking what the presenting problem is by up front asking what the problems are that the individual is seeking help for and giving the client space to say in their own words what their problem is. I also like that after the open ended question of the presenting problem there is a checklist of symptoms for the client to prompt

Problem Statement: The World Health Association defines ‘good’ health as: “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” However, in the United States, access to care and funding for mental health care are grossly neglected and underfunded in comparison to other aspects of health care.

In order to address the client’s problems and strengths Birkenmaier suggest using a “two compartment model”. “In this approach, the assessment includes a two component model in which the social worker first explores a series of questions with the client to define the problem situation (Component 1). The questions will not only help to identify the client’s strengths, but also their life experiences (both positive and challenging), and strategies for coping with adversity. Gathering this comprehensive perspective on the client’s identity can aid both the social worker and the client in formulating a perception of the client in terms of strengths, versus deficits. (Birkenmaier, 2014, pg.110)”

The intake form is easy to read and presented in a way that is easy to navigate through. As a client it would be easy enough to go down the list and answer the questions. As a social worker, there may be concern that important questions do not pop out such as suicide idealizations and owning a gun. The question regarding if a client is wanting to harm someone else should also be included in this form for obvious safety

I do not think there is always sufficient space to answer questions completely. For example, within the Family Background and Childhood History section, there are questions asking the client to describe their relationship with both their father and mother. Only one and one-half lines are provided for this response. A bit more space might encourage a better understanding of client concerns. I understand the intake is intended to be brief but additional client explanation would be helpful.

There aren’t many questions that I would remove. One question that I would remove is the education history section which asks the client questions about their highest grade completed. I would remove this because I feel as if a person has mental health issues, it has nothing to do with their educational background. I believe that a social worker knowing the highest level of education of their client doesn’t necessarily help the social worker with why the client is at their agency. I would not add anything to the form.

My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.

The mental health intake form I chose from the internet was lacking in multidimensional methodology and lacked significant information about client subsystems. Accordingly, the questions that regarded behavioral functioning did not cover presenting problems thoroughly. Specific questions about coping skills, social skills, and parenting skills were absent. Although, one question was asked regarding the client’s relationship with their children (which could insight into parenting skills), it was too open ended to get any major information. The assessment contained a section on legal history that was also not thorough. The spiritual section lacked crucial information. For instance, it did not ask about supportive relationships (i.e. name of a

Becoming acquainted with a potential client’s history, personality and present concerns is necessary in forming a foundation for counseling interventions. This information gathering phase is referred to as assessment (Mears, 2010). While some mental health professionals will use an interview as their primary assessment tool, others will utilize testing