View all blogs

Assessments for overall mental health and wellness

by

Woman with pencil and paper

With more responsibilities and obligations on their plates than ever before, adults are combating increased stress on a daily basis. In fact, in a report released by the American Psychological association, 27% of adults reported that on most days, they are too stressed to function. “Nearly half (46%) of those under 35 and more than half (56%) of Black adults under 35 agreed with this statement.1” This increased stress is directly affecting their well-being and quality of life and can lead to a variety of medical health conditions and issues with substance abuse. As mental health and wellness concerns rise, it can be difficult for practitioners to keep up with the demand, leaving many individuals without the care many so desperately need.

The impacts of stress

Around three-quarters of adults (76%) said they have experienced health impacts due to stress in the prior month, including: headache (38%), fatigue (35%), feeling nervous or anxious (34%), and/or feeling depressed or sad (33%).

Adults with a higher average stress level report experiencing headache (59%), fatigue (57%), feeling nervous or anxious (56%), and feeling depressed or sad (57%) due to stress in the past month.

Around seven in 10 adults (72%) have experienced additional health impacts due to stress, including: Feeling overwhelmed (33%), experiencing changes in sleeping habits (32%), and/or worrying constantly (30%). 

Adults with a higher average stress level report experiencing feeling overwhelmed (57%), changes in sleeping habits (53%), constant worrying (53%), and using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax (30%).

Assessment and screening tools to help assess stress and quality of life

To help with the increased demand (and in some cases, staff shortages), we wanted to make you aware of some assessments that can be used by a variety of professionals you may already have in your office. These assessments are quick and many can be emailed ahead of time to supplement your clinical interview. They can also be used throughout your treatment to monitor progress and outcomes and to inform treatment plan changes.  

Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventories (SASSI)

A self-report screening instrument designed to accurately identify adolescents and adults with high probability of having a substance use disorder

Brief Symptom Inventory® (BSI®)

Provides patient-reported psychological data to support clinical decision-making at intake and during the course of treatment in multiple settings

Quality of Life Inventory® (QOLI®)

A psychological assessment of well-being and satisfaction with life that assesses positive mental health and happiness and yields an overall score based on the "Sweet 16" areas that make up the quality of life, including love, work, and play

Symptom Checklist-90-Revised® (SCL-90-R®)

Helps evaluate a broad range of psychological problems and symptoms of psychopathology and monitor patient progress

Brief Battery for Health Improvement™ 2 (BBHI™ 2)

A brief diagnostic tool well-suited for assessment of validity, physical symptoms, psychological, character, environment, and social factors that can impact response to normal course of treatment and recovery of patients

These assessments can be administered by:

  • Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • National Certified Counselors (NCC)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Psychiatric Nurses or Mental Health Nurse Practitioners  

Interested in learning how to implement some of these tools in your own practice?

Reach out to a rep!

References

1https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2022/concerned-future-inflation

Mental Health Resource Center

Consider our Mental Health & Anxiety Resource Center your central hub for our most relevant articles, current trends, and helpful tools — all created by trusted clinicians and professionals and updated regularly.

Explore more resources