Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults

November 26, 2025

Authored by: Emma Loker, BSc, PgDip

Edited by: Ashley Pena, LCSW

We all have bad days, where stress feels overwhelming and a low mood won’t lift. But what if this situation lasts for a long time and is more than just “a bad day”? These are signs that maybe it’s time to consider a mental health assessment – a professional way to discover and understand what’s going on with you.

A mental health evaluation is the first step towards psychological well-being. It is a process – usually performed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist – that focuses on identifying various psycho-emotional problems and providing early intervention. It is difficult to distinguish a situational state of anxiety or stress from a real, major problem that requires attention. The primary goal is not to diagnose or give a medical label, but to discover what can help you feel better.¹

Seeing the complete picture, with all its ups and downs, is the only way to turn worry into understanding. On this page, we’ll explore key questions like:

What diagnostic services for mental health are
Why mental health assessments are important
Who should seek diagnostic mental health services
How to get a mental health diagnosis as an adult
What types of mental health testing services are available
How to find mental health evaluation services near you
How to organise a mental health assessment today

What Is a Diagnostic Assessment for Mental Health?

A mental health assessment is a comprehensive process that aims to assess your overall emotional and psychological well-being.¹ It can identify various mental health disorders that require specific treatment. Perhaps your oversleeping or you being lazy at these times is an expression of depression. Or your current social withdrawal is anxiety about social interactions. Whatever the reason behind this, the goal is to find out what will work for you.

During a mental health assessment, the professional will ask you a number of questions to gather as much information as possible about your condition.² They may use various methods such as interviews, questionnaires, or other standardized tests to assess behavior, mood, or overall cognitive functioning. No one wants to judge you, but simply understand what you are going through and try to help with this.

At the end of a diagnostic assessment, you may receive a diagnosis, which is an identifying name for all the challenges you are currently facing.² This diagnosis is not something that will define you as a person or your life as a whole, but it helps guide the process towards a specific treatment. It can also help you to research more about it individually, so that you or your loved ones can understand what’s going on and what steps need to be taken, whether it’s psychotherapy, medication or other supportive care.

Why Are Mental Health Assessments Important?

It is difficult to distinguish between a temporary situative state of stress or anxiety and a more serious condition that requires attention. Online medical information today is overwhelming, but you need to know how to properly use it. Often, even mental health professionals have difficulty distinguishing between different diagnoses, without using the right tools and methods of assessment.³

You may be wondering if it is a normal difficult period after the loss of a loved one or it’s a specific mental health condition going on. Are these difficulties with your child’s attention signs of ADHD or an unusual expression form of school anxiety?

Mental health assessments do exactly that – they help the psychiatrist or psychologist understand the whole picture and distinguish between different conditions. In this way, an individual and effective treatment plan will be achieved, which will help improve your quality of life.

By understanding and accurately identifying the problem and treatment, you have more power in the process.⁴ It’s common to blame yourself or feel ashamed about mental health difficulties, but by understanding what’s really going on, you can focus on real solutions to the problem.

Who Should Seek Diagnostic Mental Health Services?

Major life changes – whether negative or positive ones – such as the loss of a loved one or getting married and starting a new life with your partner, have their own mental health consequences.⁵ You may feel strange and different, as if you are no longer the same person you were before. Or perhaps you don’t really understand what is wrong with you, but simply see that your functioning has changed.

A diagnostic mental health assessment is not only for severe conditions or situations, but also for those changes that seem to be normal. Some signs that you may need one include:

Low mood or anxiety that won’t lift
Daily tasks feel exhausting or overwhelming
Sleep or appetite changes (too much or too little)
Pulling away from people or hobbies you used to enjoy
Using substances, overworking, or other unhealthy habits
Physical issues (fatigue, aches) with no clear cause

If these patterns last more than a few weeks and disrupt your life, a mental health evaluation could help pinpoint what’s going on.⁵ It isn’t just for emergencies. It’s to prevent and manage on time a simple condition that later can become complicated.

How to Get a Mental Health Diagnosis as an Adult

If you are an adult considering taking a mental health diagnosis, you may be wondering where to start. Usually, the first step is to see your family doctor, to first rule out any physical factors that may have affected your mental well-being.⁶ Then, he may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for a full mental health evaluation. Some people choose to skip the first step and seek a diagnostic evaluation directly. However, various factors affect mental health and both physical and mental ones should be assessed.

Before going to your mental health evaluation appointment, you may want to keep a record of any changes in behavior, mood, or cognition that you have noticed during this time. You can also write down any questions that you may have throughout the day, as they may be forgotten during the assessment. The key factor is to be calm and informed about what to expect, so that the process goes smoothly.

Once you are in front of the professional, he will likely conduct a clinical interview with various questions.⁷ Be honest and open, so that the assessment is as complete and real as possible. Also, if you have any doubts, ask questions and seek information. It’s your mental health and you need to understand everything that’s happening. If you feel that something hasn’t gone right, it’s normal to ask for a second opinion. What’s important is to feel good and understood.

In the end, a diagnosis is just a guide to help you feel better – it doesn’t change who you are.

Types of Mental Health Testing Services Available

There are actually several different ways to get answers for your mental health.⁸ The most common one people hear about is the psychiatric evaluation. It’s a process performed by psychiatrists to understand and diagnose mental health difficulties. They will ask about your mood, thoughts or even possible physical symptoms that may be bothering you, so they can offer an accurate pharmacological treatment plan.

On the other hand, psychological evaluations also focus on understanding your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, but often without medication.⁸ The main goal is to spot things like anxiety or other psychological difficulties, to offer the best psychotherapy option. Specific assessments, like clinical interviews, questionnaires or personality tests, help with understanding your overall functioning and battles. Therapists often use them to guide their approach and treatment plan.

Behavioral assessments evaluate behavioral difficulties, often in children. They´re used to identify different conditions like ADHD, autism spectrum disorders or other issues. There are also substance use assessments available out there, which you can take if you are struggling with alcohol or drug use. They evaluate patterns and the impact of substance use in order to create an effective treatment plan.

Whatever your needs are, there is a specific mental health testing service that can actually help you. Don’t hesitate to ask for help!

How to Find Mental Health Evaluation Services Near You

Considering a mental health evaluation? Finding the right support is essential. At Mission Connection, we’re here to make the process easier. Our team provides personalized mental health evaluations to help with anxiety, depression, stress, or any other concerns. Why choose Mission Connection?

Caring professionals who take the time to listen
Evaluations focused on your unique needs
Flexible options: in-person or virtual appointments
Clear, honest feedback to guide your next steps

No matter what you’re dealing with, we can help you better understand your mental health and find a path forward.

Organize a Mental Health Assessment Today

Some days just feel harder, even when nothing is obviously wrong. Many of us put off dealing with those feelings – until they become too much to ignore. At Mission Connection, we understand how important it’s to spot difficulties early, so we can do something about it.

Your mental health matters. Whether it’s constant stress, unpredictable moods, or just a feeling that something isn’t right, we’re here to help you make sense of it.

You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Reach out today – support is closer than you think.

References

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Burgess, J., Costa, T., & Cousins, D. (2024). Clinical assessment and investigation in psychiatry. Medicine, 52(8), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2024.05.005
Samartzis, L., & Talias, M. A. (2019). Assessing and improving the quality in mental health services. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010249
Scelzo, A. (2021). Importance of good mental health assessment to promote healthy aging. International Psychogeriatrics, 34(6), 507–509. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610221000594
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Mental health: Know when to get help. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/mental-health/art-20044098#:~:text=Each%20mental%20health%20condition%20has,with%20problems%20or%20daily%20activities.
Good Health Psych. (2023, August 28). A Step-by-Step guide on how to get a mental health diagnosis. Good Health Psych | Psychiatric Services for Adults, and Adolescents in NYC. https://goodhealthpsych.com/blog/a-step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-get-a-mental-health-diagnosis/
Healthwatch Greenwich. (2022, September 2). What happens in an NHS mental health assessment? https://healthwatchgreenwich.co.uk/advice-and-information/2022-09-02/what-happens-nhs-mental-health-assessment
Newson, J. J., Hunter, D., & Thiagarajan, T. C. (2020). The heterogeneity of mental health assessment. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00076
Mental Health Assessments – Mission Connection Healthcare. (n.d.). Mission Connection Healthcare. https://missionconnectionhealthcare.com/self-assessments/