Chapin Hall

Pilot study shows high reliability of mental health testing tool

Digital tool aids fast diagnosis

Chapin Hall, with its partners at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and the University of Chicago’s Departments of Medicine & Public Health Sciences, recently field tested the computerized adaptive mental health test (CAT-MH™). This test is designed to accurately, quickly and cost-effectively diagnose and report on the mental health of young people in the child welfare system.

Preliminary results suggest that, in a population of foster youth age 13 and older, use of the CAT-MH™ produces a valid and reliable assessment of anxiety disorders, major depressive disorders, and suicidality in less than 6 minutes (and often in less than 4 minutes).