Mental Health Check-ins: Why Emotional Wellness Deserves a Seat at the Table

🌍 The Changing Landscape of Health

For decades, health check-ups were all about blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Mental health? Often overlooked — or worse, stigmatised.

But times are changing. Today, we recognise that emotional and psychological well-being are essential parts of overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being — not merely the absence of disease” [1].

Yet, many routine health screenings still skip mental health altogether. That needs to change.

💬 What Is a Mental Health Check-in?

A mental health check-in is a structured opportunity to assess how you’re feeling emotionally and psychologically. It may be conducted:

By your GP during a routine health check-up
Through a self-assessment tool
With a counsellor, therapist, or psychologist

Just like a physical exam checks your vital signs, a mental health check looks at:

Mood and emotional balance
Sleep quality
Energy levels
Concentration and memory
Appetite and interest in activities
Thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness

🧭 It’s not just about diagnosing depression or anxiety — it’s about checking in on stress levels, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the impact of life events like grief or job loss.

🧪 Why Include Mental Health in Routine Screening?

🔍 1. Mental Health Disorders Are Common — But Often Missed

Globally, 1 in 8 people live with a mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most common [2]. Yet, most go undiagnosed, especially in routine primary care.

🧠 2. Emotional Health Affects Physical Health

Mental and physical health are deeply connected:

Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes [3]
Depression can worsen pain conditions and impact recovery
Anxiety can cause digestive disorders, insomnia, and immune dysregulation

🧭 3. Early Support Makes a Big Difference

Just like early cancer or diabetes screening, early mental health support improves outcomes — reducing hospitalisations, substance abuse risk, and suicide [4].

👥 Who Should Get a Mental Health Check-in?

Everyone.

But especially:

Teenagers and young adults
Adults undergoing major life transitions (new job, marriage, childbirth, retirement)
People with chronic illnesses or long-term medication use
Healthcare workers and caregivers
Older adults — where loneliness and cognitive decline often go unnoticed

📋 What Does a Mental Health Screening Look Like?

In routine settings, screening tools like these may be used:

PHQ-9 for depression [5]
GAD-7 for anxiety [6]
WHO-5 Well-being Index
Mood journals or digital mental health trackers

During a check-up, you might be asked:

“Over the past two weeks, how often have you felt down, hopeless, or lacked interest in things you usually enjoy?”

🛠️ What Happens If a Problem Is Found?

If a concern is identified:

Your GP may offer talking therapy referrals (e.g. NHS IAPT services)
In some cases, medication may be discussed
You may be signposted to support groups, mental health charities, or online tools
Further assessment with a psychologist or psychiatrist may be arranged for complex cases

🏥 Importantly, early support doesn’t mean a diagnosis. It’s about taking action before things get worse.

🧘‍♀️ Building Emotional Health into Your Routine

Whether or not you attend a formal screening, check in with yourself regularly:

✅ Am I sleeping and eating well?
✅ Do I still enjoy things I used to?
✅ Do I feel connected to people around me?
✅ Have I felt persistently low, anxious, or irritable?

If the answer raises red flags — don’t ignore it.

🧠 Just like you’d get a lump checked out, you deserve to get your emotional aches addressed too.

📣 Let’s Normalise It

It’s time we gave mental health the same routine attention as cholesterol or BMI. Because:

Mental health is health.
You don’t have to be “broken” to benefit from support.
Regular check-ins reduce stigma, promote resilience, and improve lives.

💬 Final Thoughts

Mental health check-ins shouldn’t be optional or awkward.
They should be expected, encouraged, and embedded in every health system.

So next time you book a check-up, ask your GP:

“Can we talk about how I’ve been feeling lately?”

It might just be the most important screening you’ll ever do.

📚 References (In-section)

WHO. Constitution of the World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
WHO. World Mental Health Report 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240049338
American Heart Association. Stress and Heart Health. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health
NHS England. Mental Health Services. https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/
Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2001;16(9):606–613.
Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166(10):1092–1097.