Mental Health: Wellbeing and Happiness Series with MoNya-Mental: The 9 Tenets of Assessment

It is also important that physical health issues are addressed alongside the mental health issues, if not before, wherever possible Mertha Mo Nyamande This week I continue with my regular column in the Sunday Express on the Monya-Mental series. Hoping that you are following and that you are learning something. The following is the Structure of Mental Health Assessments: Biographical Data Biographical details present a picture of the age, weight, height of the individual to give an indication of the risk group and category, body mass index, and any features that are visible on the surface before the actual assessment even begins. Presenting Problem This is usually the critical focal point to get to understand why the individual has presented, not just what they are saying, but what they are not saying as well. This also looks to assess the risks posed by the individual to themselves or to others, as well as their vulnerability to abuse by others. Mental Health Presentation History Here we look to see if there have been any other mental health issues apart from the one being presented currently, particularly how these have been resolved, any prior treatments, and admissions to hospital.