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Mental Health > Depression Forum > My idea... In school MENTAL ASSESMENT TEST.... good or bad?
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In School Mental Assesment Test?
Yes (I think it's a good idea)
No (I don't think it's a good idea)
Undecided
73%  73%  [ 11 ]
20%  20%  [ 3 ]
6%  6%  [ 1 ]
Total Votes : 15
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Q: My idea... In school MENTAL ASSESMENT TEST.... good or bad?
asked by: radioactivbat on July 15th, 2003
New User
Hello,
My name is Quinn. I have manic depression/bi polar. I am 14 and just finished the 8th grade. (Last grade of middle school). To tell you a bit about myself: In the beginning of the 7th grade, I became very depressed and that caused angry tension among my parents, my friends, and myself. I hated myself for upsetting people and started cutting.(self mutilation). My parents were concerned. I would promise them it was from art class or from falling down or something such as. They were suspicious but left it alone for a few days. I eventually came to my mother crying, (she also suffers from depressions but is correctly medicated), and I explained the whole thing. She called my psychiatrist who immediately sent me to a mental rehab center. Through treatment and a different psychiatrist and a long period of switching medication, I am finally feeling happy again.

My situation though, got me to thinking. What if there was a way I could have had this fixed at the end of 6th grade when things started to go wrong? What if there was a way to get this to my parents before I couldn’t control it anymore? That’s where I came up with the idea of a MENTAL ASSESSMENT TEST. They already have a test every year, rather a questionnaire, about how the school is doing. Yes, that is mildly important, but what if they had a test on mental health? It would ask simple questions that would assess any problem that might be there. Then after the test is completed it would be looked over and parents would be notified if there is any risk of depression or mental diseases such as. The results could be put on a child’s record and possibly make accommodations. A program called the ‘504' helped me. It made my school life easier by allowing more time on tests, and such.

Sincerely,
Quinn

Please reply with your opinion to: radioactivbat@yahoo.com
Your reply and others will be eventualy be sent to my school board and other places. Whether your opinion is negative or possitive it will be appreciated.
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danielv
replied on July 16th, 2003
Advanced Support Team
Re: My idea... In school MENTAL ASSESMENT TEST.... good or b
Hello Quinn.

I have had quite a few episodes of depression and severe anxiety disorders throughout my life and did not know what was wrong until just recently. I simply assumed that my feelings were caused by some set of circumstances, and blamed outside situations for the way they made me feel, or for the way I couldn't help but feel.

As for the MENTAL ASSESMET TEST, I think that it's certainly a worthwhile idea, yet I would like to point out some problems with testing a general population for (any especially these) symptoms...


- People who lack information and exposure might not take the test seriously.
- Some may lie out of shame.
- Others still might conciously "fake" their answers in order to illegally obtain prescription drugs.
- There are even circumstances under which parents may abuse their autority and attempt to "overdiagnose" their children to explain behaviour that the parents dissaprove of. Throughout our youth we internalize our parent's personal problems and character defects, and quite often the parents are actually reacting to their own shortcomings when dealing withs us.
- What should happen if someone is diagnosed with a severely unstable condition? (Are they considered a threat to themselves or others? Who is liable for their treatment, diagnosis, )
- What if someone was diagnosed, received treatment, and gets diagnosed again?


I would suggest a program which would promote the awareness and acceptance of such disorders, and simultaneously offer anonymous solutions (testing, referrals, etc) for those who are interested or obviously struggling. I truly believe that the best way to help someone is to empower them with awareness, information, and the ability to seek help that is available.

radioactivbat wrote:
...I became very depressed and that caused angry tension among my parents, my friends, and myself.


Sounds familiar. I'm glad things worked out for you! : )

Best Wishes,
Daniel
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saf
replied on July 29th, 2003
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Dear Quinn, Congratulations on your continued success. I have custody of my nephew who just turned 10. He is also listed as manic depressive/bipolar. He was in a hospital five weeks and he goes to a therapist and psychiatrist every week. It is going to be a struggle but reading the letter from you shows me that there will always be hope for him. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Sally
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