The Mental State Examination

This article aims to increase general knowledge on and awareness of the Mental State Examination (MSE) and provide guidance on how a clinician outside of the specialty of mental health might apply aspects of the MSE in a basic form, as part of a holistic assessment.

Concepts closely related to what is now known as the MSE in current day practice have been used in psychiatry for decades (Kareem and Ashby, 2000). The use of the MSE when considering an individual's mental health needs highlights the importance of considering both the subjective narrative of the person experiencing a change in their health, as well as the objective clinician observations (Evans et al, 2019). Furthermore, it is vital that when supporting an individual with their mental health and wellbeing, efforts are made by the clinician/clinical team to seek out the views and thoughts of carers and/or loved ones. Working in partnership with loved ones/carers contributes to the support an individual receives (Evans et al, 2019), and can promote recovery (Waller et al, 2019). In the context of an MSE, gathering information from loved ones/carers before or after the MSE can support the diagnostic process by providing collateral information on areas such as the pre-morbid personality and clarifying an individuals' hopes, dreams and views (to name a few parameters). Such information adds to the assessment process and can help clinicians distinguish what may or may not be a manifestation of an altered mental status.