What is a mental health intake form?
A mental health intake form is a document used by mental health professionals to gather information about a patient's mental health history. The form includes questions about the patient's symptoms, psychiatric history, and family history of mental illness.
If the patient has the ability to make decisions for his/her life, these inquiry forms should be filled out by the patient. Otherwise, the mental health intake form should be completed by someone who has had contact with a person in crisis and can provide information about their relevant history, current symptoms, and risk factors for suicide or self-harm.
Some details you can gather with a mental health intake form
When creating the mental health intake form, it is important to ask for as much information as possible. The following are some key points to consider:
- The individual's name and contact information
- The date and location of the incident/emergency
- The nature of the crisis (e.g., thoughts of suicide, self-harm, psychosis, etc.)
- The individual's current mental state
- Any previous mental health treatments or hospitalizations
- The individual's family history of mental illness
- Any recent major life changes or stressors
- The individual's current medications and dosages
- Any other relevant information