We are often told to check in with people when we notice something wrong and if someone is struggling, we encourage them to seek help.
Psychologists often advise people to perform regular mental health checkups to assess their well-being.
Dr. Vaile Wright, Senior Director of Health Care Innovation in the Practice Directorate at the American Psychological Association (APA), told USA Today, “It’s sort of in some way shifting this mindset of what questions would I ask my friend if I was worried about them and then using that on yourself.”
USA TODAY spoke with Dr. Wright and Dr. Lynn Bufka on how to perform a mental health check.
Dr. Wright said it is important for you to need quiet to do a mental health check, adding, “We’re so used to multi-tasking that we don’t really give ourselves space to sit down and reflect. Scheduling that time for yourself is going to be an important component.”
“One of the biggest indicators is whether the person is really having trouble doing their day-to-day life,” said Dr. Bufka, Associate Executive Director for Practice Research and Policy at APA. “Are you able to fulfill your role as a mom, a teacher, a spouse, a daughter?”
They advised looking at your own feelings and behaviors and for any changes in your mood.
They also advised considering the duration of your symptoms if you have any. More importantly, they recommended looking at your own bodies and communicating when your brain is not well. Your mental health and physical health are interlinked. So, check for any physical symptoms as well.
Dr. Wright explained, “The way in which we see a physical doctor even when we’re feeling OK, just to make sure that everything’s still going right, is kind of how we need to be approaching our emotional wellbeing as well.” The article originally appeared on USA Today.
