Mental Health Assessment

The article argues that subjective-only assessment would seem unreasonable if applied to heart health, yet is common in mental health care. EMA questionnaires prompted adolescents three times daily during a two-week period in January 2025. Current mental health assessment often depends heavily on subjective self-reporting. The SDQ total score ranges from 0 to 40 and sums four problem subscales. Automated notifications are sent when adolescents exceed specified depression, anxiety, or ADHD risk thresholds. Overall mental health measured by the SDQ self-report is the primary outcome. Depression is assessed with the PHQ-8 and anxiety is assessed with the GAD-7. Mental health care commonly involves patients describing feelings, receiving a diagnosis or medication, and continuing medication until symptoms feel improved.