What the Self-Assessment can do for users
A comprehensive picture of their mental health
Structured in two complementary steps, the My Tools Self-Assessment was designed to provide a comprehensive picture of a person’s mental health using scientifically validated questionnaires available in French and English. It allows users to assess different aspects of their mental health and better understand the challenges they may be experiencing.
The tool also explores a person’s social support and reasons for living to help them identify their protective factors. The self-assessment process therefore provides a more complete picture of their situation by helping them recognize both the challenges they are facing and the resources they can draw on.
Points of reference to better understand their situation
At the end of the Self-Assessment, a summary generated from the person’s responses can help them better understand their current state, put what they are experiencing into words and identify certain vulnerability and protective factors that may influence their well-being. For some people, these insights may encourage them to seek help.
In an intervention setting, the results can also help facilitate discussion by giving the person points of reference for talking about what they are experiencing and exploring their support needs.
The Self-Assessment is not a diagnosis
It is important to note that the summary provided by the Self-Assessment does not constitute a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a qualified professional. Rather, the results should be viewed as indicators that can help the person better understand their current situation.
For more information about the authors of the Self-Assessment, visit the About section.
When and how to use the Self-Assessment?
The Self-Assessment takes at least 15 minutes to complete. It is best completed at a quiet time and in an environment where the person can answer the questions without interruption. It can also be completed more than once whenever the person wishes to reassess their mental health or track changes over time.
The Self-Assessment is completed in two steps. The first assesses the person’s level of psychological well-being and identifies signs of distress and the presence of suicidal thoughts. Based on the responses provided in the first step, the second explores symptoms associated with certain common mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and bipolar disorder.
Key considerations when supporting someone using the Self-Assessment
Here are some important points to keep in mind when incorporating the Self-Assessment into your practice.
- Before offering the Self-Assessment as part of an intervention, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the tool by reviewing it yourself. This will help you better understand how it works and make it easier to use with the person you are supporting.
- Present the Self-Assessment as a tool for reflection and self-awareness rather than as an assessment intended to provide a diagnosis.
- Invite the person to reflect on what they take away from their results and what stands out to them. Their responses can serve as a starting point for exploring their experiences, needs, resources and the factors that may be influencing their well-being.
- It can be helpful to explore both the challenges identified and the protective factors in the person’s life, such as social support, reasons for living and personal resources.
What you should know about the Self-Assessment
- Self-Assessment results can be sent by email.
- You do not need to create an account to use the tool. However, creating an account allows you to save your different assessments in one place.
- The Self-Assessment can be completed independently and can also serve as a starting point for discussion as part of an intervention.
Examples of using the Self-Assessment in an Intervention Setting
Explore concrete examples of how the Self-Assessment can be used in different intervention settings. The clinical vignettes below illustrate different ways of incorporating the tool into practice with diverse client populations and in a variety of settings.