Assessment
![Document](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worksheet%20.png?itok=NPPkN65Y)
This information is about mental health assessments.
It has information about
![Doing an assessment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/assessment.png?itok=3XHX8csV)
- Assessment
![Two people sitting on different sides of a desk. One is a doctor and the other is a patient. Both look happy.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Doctor%208.png?itok=YX4lKEkx)
- Going to see a mental health worker for an assessment
![Emergency](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/emergancy%20.png?itok=3cDFzI_n)
- If you have an assessment in the emergency department
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
- Where to get more information
![Health worker talking to a person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/talk%20and%20listen.png?itok=WzMkj4-i)
One of the first steps in getting support for your mental health is an assessment.
![Person pointing to themself](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/me.png?itok=MKZ3tSa8)
Mental health is about
- How you think
- How you feel
![Doing an assessment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/assessment.png?itok=3XHX8csV)
An assessment is when a mental health or disability worker asks you questions about you and your health.
They use this information to work out the best way to help you.
![Two people sitting on different sides of a desk. One is a doctor and the other is a patient. Both look happy.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Doctor%208.png?itok=YX4lKEkx)
Mental health workers are people who work to help you with your mental health.
![Next steps](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/next%20steps.png?itok=AyITZnm2)
An assessment might take 1 or more visits with your mental health worker.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20Work%203_0.png?itok=WNA48d9K)
The mental health worker will tell you when and where the assessment will happen.
![What time and date](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/When_.png?itok=oasFtzlX)
If the time of the assessment does not suit you then you could ask to do the assessment at another time.
![Person with a question](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Question%204.png?itok=Goh4fu2f)
If the place of the assessment does not suit you then you can ask to do the assessment somewhere you want.
![Centre is open](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Open%202.png?itok=w3YKb9Qb)
Sometimes you will not be able to choose where the assessment takes place.
Who can come with you
![Three people pictured. One person is on a computer behind a grey screen. On the other side of the screen are the other two people. One of these people is sitting in a wheel chair and the other is standing up slightly facing the person in the wheelchair.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Covid%20Screen%201.png?itok=vppAK_gm)
You can take someone you trust to the appointment.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20work.png?itok=FeHvPhZw)
There are many people you might trust.
For more information about who you might trust go to https://www.idmhconnect.health/ someone-trust
![Like](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Like%20Emoji%20.png?itok=wXzOCon8)
But it is OK to go on your own if you prefer.
What you should bring
![A woman standing with her arms slightly out with her palms facing upwards. Her face looks confused.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Sandra%201.png?itok=t72rnW79)
When you make an appointment the person you communicate with should tell you what you need to bring.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201_0.png?itok=Km_5tLKD)
To communicate is how you understand and share your feelings or information.
![A person holding a piece of paper. Their eyes are facing the sheet of paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Letter%20read1.png?itok=_OrgtnR2)
You might need to bring a letter that your GP has asked you to give to the mental health worker.
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
A GP is the doctor that you see when you
- Are sick
- Need a health check
![Two people talking about a file](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Home%20inspection%2012.png?itok=vXEVUN_2)
You might need to bring reports that doctors have written about your health in the past.
![List](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/List.png?itok=ukA8WgRR)
You might need to bring
- Results of any tests or assessments
- A list of your medications
![Medicine](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/medication%20.png?itok=l8xaC6dj)
Medicine is sometimes called medication or drugs.
Medicine can be in
- A tablet
- A pill
- A drink
- An injection
![Idea](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Idea.png?itok=jlTl0xe5)
Tip
![Folders](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/folder.png?itok=K_o3fsov)
It can be hard to keep track of all your health information.
You can make a folder that you can take when you see health workers.
![List](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/List.png?itok=ukA8WgRR)
Your folder might include
- A list of any health issues you have
- A list of your medications
![Group of health workers](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/health%20workers.png?itok=qEPf7qeD)
- The mental health workers you see
- Any NDIS or other disability supports you have
![ndis logo](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/ndis.png?itok=bD6uc8PR)
NDIS is short for National Disability Insurance Scheme.
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/purpose.png?itok=_IzzVeLx)
Your folder might also include
- What you like
![Do not like](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Don%27t%20like%202%20.png?itok=Wmwa76t5)
- What you do not like
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
- What helps you
![Worried person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/worry.png?itok=M9OMq-lN)
- What worries you
![Help to fill in form](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/fill%20in%20form%20together.png?itok=IiRdpFGq)
There are also sheets you can fill out with this information.
Information sheets can be useful to take if you ever need to go to hospital.
![Easy Read sheet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Easy%20Read%20Info%201.png?itok=K4Db007e)
Below are some examples of information sheets you can fill out and use.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
- 3DNs mental health passport https://idmhconnect.health/my-mental-health-passport
- The Council of Intellectual Disability My Health Matters folder https://cid.org.au/resource/my-health-matters-folder/
- A2D Together Folder http://a2d.healthcare/
Confidentiality
![No information](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/not%20shareing%20information%20.png?itok=WW4_Rt_z)
The mental health worker will also discuss confidentiality.
Confidentiality means that information about you must not be shared with others unless you say that it is OK to share.
![Working together](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/multidisciplinary.png?itok=AeQOJ2yv)
Anything you communicate with health workers will be kept confidential unless there is a good reason to share information.
![Like](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Like%20Emoji%20.png?itok=wXzOCon8)
Good reasons to share information are
- You say it is OK
![Supporting someone with mental illness](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/very%20upset%20.png?itok=oj71QCHW)
- You or other people are in danger
![A court gavel. A gavel is the hammer used in the court by the judge. Next to the gavel is a police officer standing straight with arms behind his back. Behind the gavel and the officer is a document.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Law%282%29.png?itok=OpeBi5jH)
- The law says they must share information
Laws are a set of rules that everyone must follow.
![Talking to someone you trust](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Social%20Work%203_0.png?itok=WNA48d9K)
Questions the mental health worker might ask you
![Person pointing to themself](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/me.png?itok=MKZ3tSa8)
Mental health workers will ask you questions to get to know
- You
- What is happening for you now
![Man smiling](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Good%20mental%20health.png?itok=PTm_rhWt)
They will use this information to work out the best way to help you feel better.
![Two people talking and writing down notes](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Market%20research.png?itok=KxP02KyI)
Mental health workers might ask you some questions about
- How you feel
- What problems you are having now
- If you have had any problems in the past
![Two people sitting on different sides of a desk. One is a doctor and the other is a patient. Both look happy.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Doctor%208.png?itok=YX4lKEkx)
- If you got support for your mental health before
- What worked for you
- What did not work
![Medicine](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/medication%20.png?itok=l8xaC6dj)
- If you take any medicine
If you see a psychiatrist they will ask you questions about any medications you have taken for your mental health.
![Two people communicating with each other](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Talk%20and%20listen.png?itok=FCsBaHm3)
A psychiatrist is a doctor who helps you with your mental health using talking and medication.
A psychiatrist might ask
![Two people talking and writing down notes](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Market%20research.png?itok=KxP02KyI)
- If the medication helped
- How you felt when you took it
- If you had any side effects
![Person feeling sick](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Feel%20sick.png?itok=HEY-YcCH)
A side effect is an unpleasant effect of medicine on your body or thinking.
A side effect can make you feel unwell.
Some medicines can give you side effects.
![Two people sitting on different sides of a desk. One is a doctor and the other is a patient. Both look happy.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20Doctor%208.png?itok=YX4lKEkx)
Your mental health worker might also ask you about your life at the moment.
For example
- If you see friends
- If you like where you live
- What activities you like to do
![Person making a choice](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/choice_0.png?itok=_GaSPDPB)
Your mental health worker might also ask you about
- Things you like
- Things you do not like
- What you are good at
- What your recovery goals are
![Person with thumbs up](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Thumb%20up%2011.png?itok=75s-w-l7)
Recovery means getting better so you can do the things you want to do.
![Person with goals](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Goals.png?itok=Y0pMSxH4)
A goal is something you want and take steps to reach.
Your recovery goals are what you would like to be able to do when you feel better
![Person thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Think1.png?itok=-xDHSb04)
You can prepare for your appointment by thinking about what your answers might be.
![List](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/List.png?itok=ukA8WgRR)
You or someone else can note down
- What you would like to say
- Any questions you might have
![Idea](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Idea.png?itok=jlTl0xe5)
Tip
![Health worker talking to a person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/talk%20and%20listen.png?itok=WzMkj4-i)
Sometimes when people ask how we are feeling we just
- Say we are fine
or
- Always answer yes
![Woman sleeping](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Sleep%20.png?itok=jXComMT8)
For example if someone asks you if you are sleeping OK you might say yes even if you are having trouble sleeping.
![Communication](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Communication%201_0.png?itok=Km_5tLKD)
When you communicate with any health worker it is important to let them know how you really feel.
![Person upset](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Upset-7.png?itok=6t9I4pbn)
For example
- If you feel unwell
- If things are not going well for you
![Happy person](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/purpose.png?itok=_IzzVeLx)
Then the health worker can help you.
You will not get in trouble for what you say.
![Talking on the phone with a professional](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/support%20line%20.png?itok=db9i5PfR)
After you start seeing a new psychologist or psychiatrist it can be good to make an appointment with your GP.
![Doing an assessment](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/assessment.png?itok=3XHX8csV)
A psychologist helps you with your mental health by talking with you.
Psychologists help you find things you can do to feel better.
![Seeing a health worker](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/GP%20%28visiting%20your%20GP%29%20.png?itok=ZcdyuJXI)
You can discuss with your GP how you psychologist or psychiatrist is going for you.
![Emergency](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/emergancy%20.png?itok=3cDFzI_n)
You will communicate with a doctor at the hospital if you must go to the emergency department for your mental health.
![A person is standing in the center, with one arm across their stomach and their other arm under their chin. Around this standing image, there are four images of this same person in different moods; anger, fear, happiness, confusion. These emotions are connected by arrows.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Moods%201%20%281%29.png?itok=8F7OqUDZ)
The doctor will ask you how you are feeling.
![Caring for someone in hospital](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/care%20for%20in%20hospital%20.png?itok=OK6COLn0)
The doctors might run some tests.
![Person providing support](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Peer%20Support%201c.png?itok=hk8LKGXh)
Below is a list of information sheets to support your mental health assessment.
You can use these sheets to list information about your mental health.
![Person using the internet](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Claim%20Online.png?itok=nNIw0kYt)
- 3DNs mental health passport https://idmhconnect.health/my-mental-health-passport
- The Council of Intellectual Disability My Health Matters folder https://cid.org.au/resource/my-health-matters-folder/
- A2D Together Folder http://a2d.healthcare/
![Screen capture of the Wordlist on the Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect website.](/sites/default/files/styles/easy_read/public/media-image/Wordlist.png?itok=nAL2D_c3)
There are some tricky words on this Easy Read page.
For more information about these words go to