Study Notes on Assessment of Young People's Mental Health

Introduction to Outcome Measures for Young People

• Outcome measures are essential for understanding the mental health and well-being of adolescents.

• Various assessment tools can be used to gauge feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in young individuals.

Assessment Examples

• A case study example featuring Kelsey, a 15-year-old girl, is utilized to illustrate the outcome measures.

  • Kelsey initially presents with symptoms including:

  • Low mood

  • Poor sleep

  • Self-harm

Assessment Methodology

• Kelsey is asked to complete two assessment questionnaires:

  • A-CATS (Anxiety and Cognitive Assessment Tool for Adolescents)

  • SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire)

Role of the Therapist

• The therapist engages Kelsey by explaining the purpose of the assessment:

  • "They can't see very much. Tell me about what's brought you here today…"

  • These preliminary discussions aid in building rapport and understanding Kelsey’s motivations for seeking help.

Purpose of Outcome Measures

• The assessment checklists serve as a method for:

  • Understanding emotions and thoughts

  • Gathering more accurate data on Kelsey’s mood and mental health

  • Informing how to facilitate desired changes in her life

Questionnaire Framework

• A-CATS Details:

  • Queries about feelings and worries

  • Participants select from four response options:

  • Never

  • Sometimes

  • Often

  • Always

  • Sample Question: "I worry about things."

• SDQ Structure:

  • Contains a series of sentences that participants assess as:

  • Not true for me

  • Somewhat true

  • Certainly true

  • Sample sentence: "I feel sad or empty."

Follow-Up Procedures

• Importance of follow-up questions, especially for risky issues:

  • Example Item (A-CATS): "I think about death."

  • Clinicians should identify which items demand further conversation following completion of the questionnaires.

Addressing Adolescents' Concerns

• Adolescents may voice concerns regarding question similarities.

  • Clarification of purpose is necessary:

    • Reassurance: Questions appear similar but are designed to enhance accuracy of reflections on feelings.

    • Example: "I worry about being away from my parent" closely resembles: "I feel afraid of being on my own at home."

Administration of Questionnaires

• Some services prefer administering questionnaires in the waiting room, allowing for answers to be reviewed in subsequent sessions.

  • Prospective benefits of this method include:

  • Reduced pressure during assessments

  • Time for reflection before discussion occurs

Conclusion

• Utilizing structured questionnaires provides a systematic approach to understanding young people's mental health.

• Varied methodologies cater to individual preferences and contribute to a more comprehensive assessment process.