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If you've ever been in a hospital recovering from surgery, you've likely been asked by healthcare providers to rate your pain on a 1-10 scale so they can adjust your treatment accordingly. However, measuring mental health distress is far from as simple as a 1-10 scale, since mental well-being isn't as tangible as physical pain. Nevertheless, individuals dealing with conditions like depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders may find it useful to refer to this 'mental health pain scale' to gauge their emotional state from day to day.
Rori, the blogger behind The Graceful Patient, developed a mental health scale for herself when she realized that patients needed a simple way to express their emotional state. From Level 1 ("Everything is fine!") to Level 10 ("You should reach out to a crisis line immediately."), this scale helps communicate mental well-being clearly.
Level 5 marks the turning point where you should consider contacting a healthcare professional: "Your mental health is starting to affect your daily life. Simple tasks are becoming harder. It’s time to consult your doctor."
It's crucial to note that Rori isn't a licensed professional—her blog is centered on her personal battles with chronic illness. She also mentions other mental-health evaluation tools, such as the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, which can assist you and your healthcare provider in assessing the severity of your symptoms. However, for a quick and straightforward update, saying "I’m at Level 8" might be easier.
While this scale isn't widely adopted, I find it particularly useful in helping you articulate to yourself where you stand emotionally. Are you just a bit irritated today, or is everything feeling more overwhelming? Should you contact your therapist or reach out to a friend? Mental health struggles can often creep up gradually, and a clear self-assessment can be enlightening. If it’s helpful, keep the chart saved for easy reference. Here’s hoping for many peaceful days at Level 1.
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