1. Assessment of mental health How do we determine if someone is suffering from a mental illness?

2. Clinical interview The first step is to interview someone. Usually involves a face to face discussion during which the mental health professional asks a series of structured questions designed to obtain information about a persons current and past behaviour, attitudes and emotions, the current problem and a detailed history of their life in general. Mental status exam 1.Appearance and behaviour 2. Thought processes 3. Mood and affect 4. Intellectual functioning 5. Sensorium

3. Complete learning activity 9.4 (including table) page 295

4. Psychological Testing A variety of tests are available to help mental health professionals to asses thoughts, feelings and behaviours which may be associated with mental illness. Generally called diagnostic tests and ones which are used to determine aspects of personality are called personality tests. They can also be designed to measure specific mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or depression. MMPI- common (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) page 298

5. Validity and reliability of assessments Test Validity It must actually assess what it is supposed to asses. Face validity Construct validity Concurrent validity Test reliability Refers to the ability of a test to consistently assess what it is supposed to assess each time it is given. Test-retest reliability

6. Behavioural observations During a clinical interview a mental health professional gathers information about a persons behaviour (ie. fidgeting). A persons behaviour will not always be similar in a formal office/interview as it would be in everyday life so it is important to observe people in their normal environment to get a full picture. Ie: school, work, home.

7. This requires a scientific approach for recording pre determined behaviours. This includes the frequency and severity. Getting a family or friend that knows someone well can be an advantage as they are familiar with the persons usual behaviour and do not have to record the behaviour when the person is present so that the person does not have to know they are being observed (this can influence behaviour)

8. Read together example page 296 (seven year old boy)