Mental Health Screening In Young people.

It can be concerning if you think you are experiencing an underlying mental health condition; early symptoms of mental disorders can be very subtle and difficult to identify (see our “Early Signs” section below) but may indicate a vulnerability to developing;

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Bipolar Disorder
Psychosis

However, these symptoms can often have other causes, such as Stress, so it can be important to speak to an expert professional if you have any concerns, to ensure you are are able to restore your mental wellbeing.

Early recognition of subtle mental health issues in young people can avoid future worsening, and factors that can impact mental health can be highlighted, and - under guidance - modified to improve both resilience now and well-being in the future.

It is important to detect these risk factors as early as possible, and map their effect on mental health, because several of them are potentially modifiable. It is also important to identify areas of psychological resilience and strength to promote good mental health. Neglecting early warning signs may lead to subsequent aggravation of problems and the onset of more severe mental disorders.

I have pioneered new methods to screen for early warning signs of mental conditions in young people aged 14-35 and forecast their outcomes. These approaches have been crucial to study brain development in young people and identify problems as early as possible. I have championed personalised preventive care, including psychological interventions, lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatments to improve youth mental health.

The results of my work have contributed to earlier identification of mental health vulnerabilities in young people and significantly improved their personal wellbeing.

Learn more about Mental Health Screening, from Cathy’s Story…

Read Cathy's Story

Early Signs

Early symptoms of mental health issues can vary depending on the type of personal vulnerability, but may include having one family member with a mental disorder and showing at least one of the issues listed below:
- Withdrawal from friends and/or family
- Low or elevated mood or frequent mood shifts
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating at school/college/university and declining grades
- Unusual transitory experiences such as hearing voices or having odd beliefs
- Changes in eating patterns
- Sleeping problems
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
- Being worried about their mental health
Seeking help for these emerging mental health problems may be challenging for young people.
Dr. Fusar-Poli will ensure that patients are made to feel welcome and will facilitate a natural and spontaneous encounter.
There are a number of factors that may cause mental vulnerability in young people. These include:
- Family history of psychiatric conditions such as having a first-degree relative affected by mental disorders (e.g. mood disorders or psychosis)
- Going through a traumatic experience such as abuse and the loss of a family member or close friend
- Bullying
- Educational pressure
- Exposure to harmful content on social media
- Substance use
- Presence of subtle mental health symptoms that are either infrequent or not severe enough to be considered a major mental disorder
It is important to detect these risk factors as early as possible, and map their effect on mental health, because several of them are potentially modifiable. It is also important to identify areas of psychological resilience and strength to promote good mental health.
Neglecting early warning signs may lead to subsequent aggravation of problems and the onset of more severe mental disorders.
Of course everyone is different, but if you’re aged 14 to 35 and experience at least one of the following;
- have a family member affected with a mental health condition
- are struggling at work, at school or college or in your social life,
- are concerned about your mental health,
- have noticed changes in your mental health,
- had any unusual mental experiences or noted a recent change of mood;
then you may want to consider a Mental Health Screening, for your peace of mind, and to allow you to make changes and plans for your future.

Your Visit

The first appointment is a chance to get to know you as much as possible, listen to the difficulties you are going through and ask you questions to put your problems into context.
You will have the chance to ask me questions too. It usually lasts two hours. I am very experienced in working with young people (14-35) and their families and making sure they feel welcome and valued.
Towards the end of our conversation, I will tell you my impression and discuss with you about treatment options. For example, I might suggest you a course of psychological treatment (talking therapy) tailored on your needs with a qualified therapist, and/or relevant physical investigations.
I often offer a follow-up appointment, which usually lasts half an hour, to monitor progress.
The screening for early signs of mental health conditions involves a holistic approach adapted to meet personal needs and mental health difficulties.
A patient using this service will receive:
- Personalised and comprehensive screening for signs of emerging mental health conditions that can detect subtle distress and vulnerabilities, along with resilience factors
- Personalised screening to identify familial vulnerabilities for mental health conditions
- Support for the family to understand more about the patient’s mental health
Specific activities may include:
- Up-to-date psychometric assessment of subtle or fluctuating mental health problems and warning signs that may signal an increased vulnerability to mental disorders
- Bespoke testing of cognitive functioning and its impact on daily life
- Extended consultation to detect familial vulnerability towards mental disorders (e.g. in first or second-degree relatives)
- Personalised mapping of risk factors increasing vulnerability and protective factors fostering resilience
You can find a full breakdown of my fees here.
For your first assessment you would bring any previous medical records that may be relevant to explain your current condition.
Upon booking your first visit you may also be asked to complete some short questionnaires ahead of the meeting.
While these questionnaires are optional, they could provide useful information to better understand your challenges and help you.

Going Forwards

I offer a tailored and innovative preventive mental health care plan, focused on reducing mental health vulnerabilities, strengthening personal resilience and promoting good mental health.
Specific activities may include:
- Customised follow-up and clinical monitoring of the vulnerabilities
- Personalised strategies to reduce the likelihood of developing future mental health problems
- Innovative and personalised preventive interventions based on the most up-to-date evidence, encompassing lifestyle and physical health, psychological treatments, psychopharmacological treatments - where indicated and agreed with the patient - and physical treatments such as repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation