Perceptions of mental health assessment and resource-oriented music therapy assessment in a child and youth mental health service

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Music therapists are increasingly being employed in multidisciplinary mental health services. Assessment is usually undertaken early in mental health treatment and can significantly influence people’s engagement with therapy. However, little is known about how people perceive mental health assessment and music therapy assessment. Method The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore, through focus groups, young people’s perceptions of assessment in Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) in Australia. Three young people discussed their recollections of mental health assessment in inpatient and outpatient CYMHS settings. Two of the young people reviewed a Resource-Oriented Music Therapy Assessment (ROMTA) devised by the first author and the Healthy Unhealthy uses of Music Scale (HUMS), envisaged music therapy assessment, and made suggestions for sensitive implementation. Results Thematic analysis revealed four themes regarding mental health assessment: not understanding; coming out feeling worse; getting through somehow and finally getting help. Based on these themes, participants suggested that music therapy assessment should be thoroughly explained and taken at the young person’s pace, that trust and rapport should be developed before asking personal questions and using quantitative measures, and that assessment tasks should be based on what young people are comfortable with. Discussion This research addresses a gap in the literature regarding young people’s perceptions of mental health assessment and music therapy assessment. In this study, young people indicated a preference for individualised, conversational approaches rather than standardised measures. Findings indicate that assessment should be supportive, collaborative and provide sufficient information to promote autonomy.