What To Expect If You Bring a Friend or Loved One For a Psychiatric/Mental Health Evaluation

If you think your friend or loved one is considering suicide, be supportive and help them get the treatment they need. Remember that suicide is a fatal response to a treatable condition - usually depression.

When your friend goes in for an evaluation, the psychiatrist or mental health professional will want to know details about suicidal thoughts and plans.

The psychiatrist/mental health professional will look for:

• Specific signs and symptoms of mental disorders that are associated with an increased suicide risk, or evidence of suicidal behavior
• Your friend's strengths and weaknesses, tendency to engage in risky behaviors, and past responses to stress

The psychiatrist/mental health professional will ask about your friend's:

• History of suicide attempts or suicidal behavior.
• Treatment history - have there been any previous psychiatric or medical treatment, prior hospitalizations, or previous suicide attempts?
• Family history of mental illness and suicide
• Current "psychosocial situation," meaning any recent changes, stressors, or life crises (i.e. unemployment, interpersonal loss, social isolation, dysfunctional relationships)

After talking with your friend, the psychiatrist/mental health professional will diagnose and consider any mental illnesses, physical illnesses and life stressors, and will come up with a treatment plan. Your friend may need to see the psychiatrist regularly, take medication, or even be hospitalized; family members and friends may be involved for support also. Keep in mind that the treatment plan could change, depending on how your friend reacts physically, psychologically and emotionally, and/or if your friend's suicidal thoughts increase or go away. Also, each evaluation will be unique, and a lot of it will depend on if your friend is willing and able to give the doctor accurate information. The evaluation could also be affected by the information from other mental health professionals, medical records, and friends and family members.

Convincing a friend or loved to have a psychiatric evaluation is only the first step of the treatment process. Once they are in the care of a professional, chances for recovery from the mental illness increase dramatically. If you know a friend, family member, or coworker is depressed or may be considering suicide, offer to go with them to an evaluation - people are often more willing to get help when accompanied by a friend. ACT now, and help your friend in need.