Building the Path to Home

Recognizing mental health problems

As with the developmental disability questions, these questions are intended to help you explore the possibility of a mental health problem. Psychologists or psychiatrists make a formal diagnosis of a mental health problem. Diagnosing a mental health problem can be difficult and may require a number of interviews over a period of time. The initial diagnosis may change as the person's circumstances change (e.g., differing amounts of support and stress at different times in his or her life).
More information about getting a formal mental health assessment is available in the Planning section.

Mental health needs indicators*

• Is the person overly dependent, given his or her abilities?
• Is the person overly independent, given his or her abilities?
• Is change really hard for the person?
• Does the person lack peers and friends?
• Is the person impulsive? 
• Is the person withdrawn?
• Is the person aggressive, verbally or physically?
• Does the person have trouble with anger?
• Is the person irritable?
• Has the person been in trouble with the law?
• Has the person been socially or sexually inappropriate?
• Does the person feel that he or she is not intellectually disabled?
• Does the person appear higher functioning than he or she really is?
• Has the person been diagnosed with a mental illness?
• Does the person hurt himself or herself?
• Has the person been sleeping more or less than usual?
• Has there been a change in the person's appetite?
• Does the person seem overactive?
• Is the person overly fearful?
• Is the person extremely confused or disoriented?
• Does the person hear voices even when no one is there? (This is not the same as talking to oneself for company or to reduce anxiety.)
• Has it been difficult to get professionals to agree over the years about a diagnosis for both the person's range of cognitive functioning and his or her mental health?
• Do family problems interfere with the person's functioning?
• Is there a parent with an intellectual disability or a mental health problem?

*Adapted, with permission, from Concerned Parents of Toronto, Inc. (2002). Supports & Services Resource Handbook. Toronto: Author.

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