Now with iOS 17, you can take a mental health assessment on iPhone focused on identifying the risk of anxiety and depression. Depression screening is available for ages 13 and up. However, the anxiety assessment is only available for users over 18 years of age.
The evaluation consists of 16 multiple-choice questions that determine and rate you on an anxiety and depression scale. However, remember that this assessment can only indicate your risk of depression and anxiety and is not an actual diagnosis. Let's see how to do it!
iOS allows us to export a PDF copy of the evaluation results so that you can obtain a proper consultation with a certified doctor who can provide you with the appropriate guidance and resources on the matter, if you need more detailed information.
The technical term for depression assessment is «Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)». And the test used to evaluate anxiety is «Generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7)». These tests are already being widely used in clinical, non-clinical and research fields.
The tests were developed by a team of doctors under the supervision of Pfizer. Both tests, PHQ-9 and GAD-7, are highly reliable and validated by renowned psychological associations and academic universities around the world.
Apple has also integrated the ability to record your daily emotions and moods into watchOS 10 with an app dedicated to Mindfulness. With this app, you can turn the Digital Crown to scroll through shapes and record how you're feeling.
How is risk measured in this mental health assessment?
The result of PHQ-9, the assessment of depression, is measured on a scale of 0-27, which is divided into different categories, which are:
- Minimal risk, with a range 0-4
- Mild risk, with a range of 5-9
- Moderate risk with a range of 10-14
- Moderate to severe risk with a range of 15-19
- Serious risk with a range 20-27
Similarly, the GAD-7 assessment result is measured on a scale of 0-15 or higher. It is divided into three categories, which are:
- Minimal risk with a range 0-4
- Slight risk with a range of 5-9
- Moderate risk with a range of 10-14
- Serious risk with a rank of 15 or more
The combined questionnaire for both assessments has 16 questions. The questionnaire asks you about the frequency of thoughts over the course of the last 2 weeks on the basis of which the results are generated.
Conduct a mental health assessment using the health app
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- First start the application «Health» on your iPhone. Then, click on the tab «Browse» from the bottom right.
- Choose "Mental Wellness" to continue and click Take the questionnaire.
- On the next screen, select the category of age range where you are and then press «Contac us«.
- You will be presented with a multiple choice questionnaire. You should read the questions carefully and select an option from the list that best describes your situation.
- Once you have answered all 16 questions, press "Ready".
- If necessary, you can pin these metrics to the Summary tab. Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Add to Favorites.
The Health app will compile and display the results of the questionnaire. The results are classified into four categories, as I mentioned above. To better understand your risk score, you can press the “i” button on the risk category indicator.
- La risk information page will be presented as an overlay screen. Once you have read it completely, press «Done» to close it.
Since mental health screening is only a tool to identify mental health risks and not an actual diagnosis, Apple allows us to export a PDF of the results in order to consult a doctor. Tap the option "Export PDF" to generate a PDF of the results.
- The report generated will include your name, age, assessment date, and individual results for anxiety and depression risk. Here, you will also be able to see the exact severity of the risk in a numerical value instead of a range to provide a better idea to the doctor. Tap the « iconShare» at the top right to continue.
- You can choose the option to share the report you want or, on the contrary, you can also download it to your iPhone by pressing the option "Save to files."
- On the results page, the Health app will also display contact information for the available helplines closest to you.
View/export previous report or retake assessment
- If you want a new copy of the report for an assessment you took a while ago, you should go to the section "Mental Wellness" in the Health app.
- Tap the option «Anxiety risk/depression risk» to continue.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap the option "Export PDF". You can then share it using the method shown in the previous section of this tutorial.
- You can also take just the “risk quiz”Anxiety/Depression” by tapping the “Answer Questionnaire”.
You should know that as you perform various tests, it will be plotted on the risk table, helping you track your mental well-being a little more accurately.
To take the full assessment again, on the Mental Wellbeing screen, scroll down and tap Take Quiz.
Conclusion
The inclusion of a mental health assessment feature in the Health app allows all iPhone users to gain insight into their mental well-being. This tool can guide us in making informed decisions to maintain our mental health.
In general, the function of Mental Wellness from the health section of the Cupertino kids, It can be a very useful tool for people looking to improve their mental health. And thanks to this article, you should be able to use this feature on your iPhone with ease. However, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to let me know by leaving a comment.