Illustrative example · not a real person
A young person aged 16 or 17: not sure what was wrong
A young person who had stopped going out much, seen at home for a mental health assessment.
Mental health assessment and triage
Private mental health assessment and triage
when you’re not sure what’s going on
Oakwell’s mental health assessment is for anyone aged 16 or over who isn’t sure what’s going on. Hans Naicker, an NMC-registered mental health nurse, carries out a comprehensive assessment, at home if that helps, gives you his clinical impression and connects you to the right support. It costs £200, including the initial consultation, with no VAT payable.
Who this page is for: anyone aged 16 or over who isn’t sure what’s going on, and the people supporting them.
Who is the mental health assessment for?
Not everyone needs an autism assessment specifically. Sometimes what’s needed first is simply understanding what’s going on. You might be feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed, or finding things hard at home, college or work, and not know what kind of help you need.
It’s for people aged 16 and over. If you’re worried about someone else, such as your son or daughter, they’ll need to be happy to take part. Young people aged 16 and 17 are generally presumed able to consent to their own assessment, and we encourage family involvement on their terms.
What does triage mean?
Triage means working out what kind of support is needed, and how soon, and then helping you reach the right service. It can be hard to know who to ask, and a comprehensive assessment with an experienced mental health nurse means you don’t have to guess.
Hans asks about how you’ve been feeling and what you’ve noticed, your mood, anxiety, sleep and energy, your history, your relationships, and how things are going at home, college or work. He also asks about physical health, medication, previous support, and anything affecting your safety. It’s an unhurried conversation, not a questionnaire to tick through.
Can you see me at home?
Yes, where needed. We also offer home visits where needed, because we know that coming to meet face to face can be difficult, and we want you to feel comfortable and be seen in your own environment.
Home visits are across the areas we cover. Young people aged 16 and 17 are offered the choice of having a parent or carer there.
What’s included in the £200?
- Initial consultation
- Comprehensive initial mental health assessment
- Skilled triage across a wide range of concerns
- Clear signposting and connection to the right service
- With your consent, communication with your GP
- Home visits available where needed
See fees for a mental health assessment, and how payment and rescheduling work.
Who will I see?
Your assessment is carried out by Hans Naicker, our Clinical Lead and an NMC-registered mental health nurse. Hans has more than 25 years in mental health, and spent his final five years in the NHS as Clinical Lead for community mental health teams in West London. CHECK: wording 'more than 25 years in mental health, including NHS clinical leadership' (§3b)
Will I get a diagnosis?
We do not diagnose at this stage. Instead, we give you our clinical impression and clear indications of what is likely to be most helpful moving forward.
If a formal diagnosis would help, we’ll explain who can provide one. If autism seems worth exploring, our autism assessment may be the next step.
What happens after the assessment?
We point you to the services most likely to help, and help you make the connection. Depending on your needs, that might be talking therapy, support through your GP, NHS community mental health services, an autism assessment, or an ADHD assessment with another provider, support through school, college or work, or voluntary and community organisations.
With your consent, we write to your GP to explain what we’ve identified and what we recommend, so the people involved in your care have the same understanding. For a young person aged 16 to 21, the Goal Coaching Mentorship Programme can also be part of the plan.
Should I see my GP first?
You can talk to your GP about your mental health at any time, and a private assessment doesn’t replace them. The NHS says you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP, if you’re registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas).
A private assessment can help when you’re not sure what’s going on, or which service to ask. With your consent, we keep your GP informed, so your care stays joined up.
If you need help now
What can it look like?
Questions about the mental health assessment
Will I get a diagnosis from the mental health assessment?
No. This assessment gives you our clinical impression of the concerns you’re facing and what we recommend as next steps. It isn’t a diagnosis. If a formal diagnosis would be helpful, we’ll tell you who can provide one.
Can you see my 14-year-old for a mental health assessment?
Our mental health assessment is for people aged 16 and over. For a younger child, your GP can refer to CAMHS, or you could look for a psychiatrist who sees under-16s. If you’re wondering about autism, our autism assessment starts at age 6.
Can the mental health assessment happen at home?
Yes, where needed. We know that coming to meet face to face can be difficult, so Hans can see you at home, across the areas we cover, somewhere comfortable and familiar. Young people aged 16 and 17 are offered the choice of having a parent or carer there. Just mention it when you get in touch.
What happens after the mental health assessment?
You get our clinical impression and clear recommendations for next steps. We then point you to the services most likely to help and help you make the connection: that might be support through your GP, talking therapy, NHS community mental health services or an autism assessment. With your consent, we write to your GP, so you don’t have to explain everything again.
Is the mental health assessment therapy?
No. It’s an assessment and triage, not ongoing therapy or treatment, and Oakwell doesn’t prescribe medication. Hans takes the time to understand what’s going on, gives you his clinical impression, and helps you reach the right support, which might include talking therapy elsewhere. If ongoing goal-focused support would help a young person, mentorship can be part of the plan.
Is Oakwell an emergency service?
No. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health help in England, call NHS 111 and choose option 2. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. Our urgent help page lists more numbers.
What happens
The six stages, step by stepMentorship
Goal coaching for 16 to 21-year-oldsContact
Book a free 15-minute call
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