case manager taking note while talking with MariaScreening and Screening for Co-occurring Disorders

Screening is the generally brief process using interviews and/or questionnaires/survey tools to monitor:

  • if a client has indicators that might suggest a need, health problem, and/or condition,
  • if a safety or injury risk exists, and
  • where referral for follow up in-depth assessment by a specialist is appropriate to diagnosis and determine need for treatment.

There are many focuses of screenings and screening tools.  Some examples include screenings for:

  • potential diabetes,
  • substance abuse,
  • learning disorders,
  • mental illness,
  • brain injury, and
  • safety risk.

When individuals have co-occurring disorders, it means that they have a mental illness and at least one other major health condition/diagnosis.