Mental Health
Heather asked Anne the 3 NICE screening questions:
- Have you been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless in the last month?
- Do you find yourself avoiding places or activities and does this cause you a problem?
Heather then followed up these questions and responses by using a recognised questionnaire used in her local area (PHQ9 for depression and GAD7 for anxiety) to assess Anne’s emotional well being.
Anne’s scores are in the moderate range for both anxiety and depression. Her main worries are anxiety and stress issues relating to money worries and with raising 2 children on her own. She is keen for support to help address these.
Suicide Risk Assessment
Anne has had thoughts of suicide in the past. She is given a crisis card with helpful numbers to ring if her mood dips.
Guidance
Heather encouraged Anne to engage in her own social support system and is pleased she is thinking of approaching the Citizens Advice Centre. She is signposted to Money Advice and given self-help information for her mood, including anxiety, stress management and sleep leaflets. Heather signposts Anne to her GP for help with her mood.
Pulse point
A mental health screen is always a useful addition to any cardiovascular risk screen of patients. The rate of suicidal thinking and risk has escalated since the onset of the recession in recent years.
Page last reviewed: 25 May 2020
