Mental health and addiction screening and assessment resource

The Mental Health and Addiction Screening and Assessment resource has been updated. The resource was first published in 2011 by Matua Raḵi and promotes the use of standardised mental health and addiction screening and assessment processes. Screening and assessment are vital for informing appropriate therapeutic intervention and support approaches to support tāngata whai ora wellbeing, for example, as part of a stepped care pathway. These processes are used in many mental health, addiction, and broader health settings, including primary care, community, and inpatient settings.

Screening aims to identify the immediate, presenting reason tāngata whai ora require support. Comprehensive assessments formally explore the nature and extent of the presenting issue(s) of why tāngata whai ora feel they need support.

The updated resource is for all kaimahi in the mental health and addiction sector who are interested in learning more about why screening and assessment are important in their practice.