Mental health surveys: Questionnaires about mental health

Creating mental health surveys with SurveyPlanet

Before implementing changes meant to help people feel positive and valued, it’s vital to understand the issues important to them. Multiple factors influence people’s mental health, including their relationships with others, stress, childhood trauma, financial stability, and individual personality.

By signing up for a SurveyPlanet account, you will gain access to a broad array of mental health survey examples and questions. We put users at the center of everything we do and, because of that, our platform helps you create surveys that matter.

Mental health survey question examples

Here are some sample survey questions that can be used to assess mental well-being, attitudes, and experiences:

Mental health awareness and knowledge:

1. How familiar are you with different mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia?
2. Have you ever received education or training on mental health topics?
3. Are you aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions?
4. How would you rate your overall understanding of mental health issues?
5. Which of the following mental health disorders do you feel knowledgeable about?
6. What does mental health mean to you and why is it important?
7. What do you think could be done to improve mental health awareness?

Stigma and attitudes:

1. Do you believe mental illness is a sign of personal weakness?
2. Are you comfortable discussing mental health openly with friends, family, or colleagues?
3. Do you think society holds stigmatizing attitudes towards individuals with mental health conditions?
4. Have you ever avoided discussing your own mental health concerns due to fear of being judged or stigmatized?
5. Do you think people with mental health disorders can fully recover and lead fulfilling lives?
6. How comfortable would you be working with someone who has disclosed a mental health condition?
7. Do you believe people with mental health disorders are treated unfairly or discriminated against in society?
8. Have you ever witnessed or experienced stigma or discrimination against individuals with mental health issues?

Help-seeking behaviors:

1. Have you ever sought professional help or mental health services?
2. What factors would prevent you from seeking help for a mental health issue?
3. Are you aware of mental health resources available in your community or workplace?
4. How comfortable are you discussing mental health concerns with a healthcare professional?
5. If you were experiencing significant mental health challenges, who would you turn to for support or guidance?
6. How likely are you to seek help from non-professional sources for mental health concerns?
7. How often do you actively seek out information or resources related to mental health?

Stress and coping:

1. How frequently do you experience stress-related symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, or irritability?
2. What strategies or activities do you use to cope with stress in your life?
3. Have you ever experienced burnout or emotional exhaustion?
4. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your current level of stress, with 1 being minimal stress and 10 being extremely stressed?
5. How do you typically respond to stressful situations?
6. What are the main sources of stress in your life? (Select all that apply)
7. On average, how effective do you find your coping strategies in managing stress?

Questions for employees:

1. Does your workplace promote a supportive environment for mental health and well-being?
2. Are you comfortable discussing mental health concerns with your supervisor or HR department?
3. Are mental health resources, such as counseling services or employee assistance programs, available at your workplace?
4. How confident do you feel in recognizing signs of your own mental health issues or those of colleagues?
5. Have you received any formal training or education on mental health awareness in the workplace?
6. Have you ever experienced symptoms of mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression) while at work?
7. Do you believe that your workload or job responsibilities have a significant impact on your mental health?

Self-care and well-being:

1. How often do you engage in activities that promote mental well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies?
2. Do you prioritize self-care in your daily routine?
3. Are you aware of the importance of maintaining good mental health?
4. On a scale of 1 to 10, how important do you believe self-care is for your overall well-being?
5. How does practicing self-care contribute to your ability to cope with life’s stresses and challenges?
6. What self-care practices do you currently incorporate into your routine?
7. What barriers, if any, prevent you from prioritizing self-care activities?

Education and awareness:

1. Would you be interested in receiving more education or training on mental health topics?
2. Do you believe that increasing mental health awareness can help reduce stigma?
3. How likely are you to recommend mental health resources or support to someone in need?
4. What sources do you typically turn to for information about mental health?
5. How likely are you to actively engage in mental health advocacy or awareness-raising activities?
6. Do you believe it is important for schools and workplaces to provide mental health education and resources?
7. How confident do you feel in recognizing signs of mental health issues in yourself or others?

These are just a few examples of survey questions about mental health. Depending on specific research or survey objectives, these can be modified or expanded to align with your needs.

Types of mental health surveys and related questionnaires

While people can be great at their jobs, they may struggle in areas such as social relationships. Maybe work isn’t a source of stress, but family matters are influencing their mood and behavior.

It’s important to look at mental health holistically and explore how people feel about every aspect of their lives—and what they struggle with. It's essential to recognize that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health can vary widely among individuals and communities. Mental health professionals, researchers, and policymakers continue to monitor and address the evolving mental health challenges posed by the pandemic.

To do this, several types of questionnaires about mental health can be conducted. Let’s dive deeper.

Mental health questionnaire for employees

We spend a great deal of our days at work. Whether working from home or in the office, mental health influences an employee’s productivity, efficiency, and relationships with co-workers. Work is also a source of stress for a lot of people and minimizing it allows people to achieve more. But how?

Employee surveys are designed to help ascertain which issues are influencing the mental health of employees and how to create an environment where everyone feels safe and positive. They will also show employees how much you care about their well-being and create a work environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Mental health questionnaire for students

Whether it’s elementary school, high school, or college—student mental health surveys provide insights into how pupils feel and what’s bothering them. Even if their mental health issues aren’t strictly school-related, every educational institution has an obligation to take care of their students.

If there are problems at home preventing students from fulfilling their studies, the school needs to offer support. Surveying students is one way to do this. On the other hand, school is stressful for many people. Educational institutions need to mitigate it, especially bullying, so that students can achieve their full potential.

Mental health surveys for teachers

Teachers have a tough—but extremely important—job in shaping and guiding young people through their educational journey. Surveying teachers provides information about exactly what they are struggling with most and how to help them do their job better.

See more teacher survey examples here.

Surveys about romantic relationships

Romantic relationships can be a great part of life. While being single can be stressful, being in an unhealthy relationship can be worse. Such situations greatly influence mood, behavior, productivity, and mental stability.

Great communication is the most important aspect of any romantic relationship. It ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding important topics. A romantic relationship satisfaction survey can help people feel heard and valued while gathering useful data that can be used to help resolve important issues.

Focusing on you

Humans are social beings and, in every aspect of our lives, we depend upon one another. When a person doesn’t have great relationships with others—whether family, friends, partners, or co-workers—it takes a toll on their mental health.

A questionnaire will have a series of questions covering various aspects of mental health, including signs and symptoms of illness, common disorders, stigma, and the resources available for support. The aim is to gauge an individual's level of knowledge and awareness about these topics.

Questions in a mental health awareness questionnaire may cover the following areas:

• Knowledge of mental health:General questions about the participant’s understanding of mental health conditions, including different disorders, their prevalence, and their impact on individuals' lives.
• Symptoms and warning signs:Assessments of knowledge about manifestations associated with common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, but also rarer ones like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.
• Stigma and attitudes: Inquiries regarding beliefs about mental illness, including causes, perceptions of stigma, stereotypes, and personal comfort level when interacting with individuals with such conditions.
• Help-seeking behaviors: questions regarding awareness of available resources and support for mental health, such as knowledge of helplines, counseling services, therapy options, or community mental health programs.

The results of an awareness questionnaire will provide insights into an individual's level of understanding of mental health. This information can be used to identify knowledge gaps, target educational interventions, and design campaigns that promote mental health literacy.

Mental health awareness questionnaires are often used in research studies, educational settings, workplaces, and community programs to reduce stigma and increase literacy.

Mental health screening questionnaire

A mental health screening questionnaire is a tool designed to help identify potential mental health issues in individuals and include:

• Depression test
• ADHD test
• PTSD test
• Bipolar test
• Eating disorder test
• Anxiety test

Typically, a self-report questionnaire asks about various aspects of mental well-being, including symptoms, behaviors, and emotions. Mental health assessment questionnaires can be used in different settings like healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and community organizations.

Questions in a mental health screening questionnaire may cover a range of topics, including:

• Symptoms: Questions about specific signs associated with mental health conditions, such as sadness, lowered mood, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, irritability, excessive worry, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or difficulty concentrating.
• Behaviors: Inquiries about actions that may indicate mental health issues, such as changes in activity level, social withdrawal, avoidance of certain situations, self-harm, substance use, or risky behaviors.
• Emotional well-being: Questions regarding experiences like feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, excessive fear or anxiety, mood swings, or thoughts of death or suicide.
• Functioning and impact: Assessments of how mental health symptoms are affecting daily functioning regarding work, relationships, school, or other areas of life.

While providing valuable information that can help healthcare professionals or mental health providers determine the need for further assessment or intervention, mental health assessment questionnaires are not diagnostic tools.

Fifty mental health survey question examples

Mental health assessments gather data from a population which can then be used to provide care, support, and services to those in need. If coming up with questions is a challenge, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 50 mental health survey sample questions:

1. What do you find most comforting when you are upset?
2. If you could change anything about your best friends, what would it be?
3. How many close friends do you have?
4. What activities do you enjoy with close friends?
5. Please describe the primary sources of conflict between you and your close friends.
6. How often do you see your closest friends?
7. Are you in an exclusive relationship?
8. Would you describe your current relationship as having been “love at first sight?”
9. What do you least enjoy about your partner?
10. How often does your partner give you loving or supportive messages through texts, notes, or verbal praise?
11. How often do you argue with your partner?
12. What is your greatest fear regarding your relationship?
13. Have you been physically assaulted by another student in the last 30 days?
14. Have you been verbally assaulted or threatened by a staff or faculty member in the last 30 days?
15. Have you been bullied through social media outlets (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.)?
16. How would you rate your overall mental well-being on a scale of 1 to 10?
17. How often do you experience symptoms of anxiety, such as excessive worry or restlessness?
18. Have you ever sought professional help or counseling for mental health concerns?
19. Do you feel comfortable discussing your mental health with friends and family?
20. How would you describe the level of social support you receive from your immediate family?
21. Do you engage in any regular self-care practices for your mental well-being, such as meditation or journaling?
22. Have you ever experienced symptoms of depression, such as persistent sadness or loss of interest in activities?
23. How would you rate the level of stress in your life currently?
24. Do you feel that you have a good work-life balance?
25. Have you ever had suicidal thoughts or made a suicide attempt?
26. How would you describe your current sleep patterns? Do you experience any difficulties with sleep?
27. Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, such as anxiety disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder?
28. Do you feel there is a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health issues in your community?
29. Have you ever engaged in any form of self-harm as a coping mechanism?
30. How would you rate your level of self-esteem and self-confidence?
31. How do you typically cope with stress in your daily life?
32. Are there specific triggers or situations that exacerbate your mental health challenges?
33. How do you feel about discussing mental health at your workplace or school?
34. Have you experienced any significant life changes in the past year, and how have they affected your mental health?
35. What do you do to relax and unwind when you're feeling overwhelmed?
36. Are you aware of local mental health resources and support services available in your community?
37. Have you experienced any changes in your appetite (eating more or less) due to mental health concerns?
38. Are you satisfied with your current access to mental health information and awareness campaigns?
39. How do you manage time for self-care activities in your daily or weekly routine?
40. Have you noticed any physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, fatigue) related to your mental health?
41. How do you perceive the impact of social media on your mental well-being?
42. Do you feel comfortable discussing mental health with your healthcare provider?
43. Have you experienced any changes in your interest or enjoyment in previously loved activities?
44. How do you rate your ability to handle setbacks and challenges in your life?
45. Are you aware of any support groups or peer networks related to mental health in your area?
46. What, if any, cultural or societal factors do you believe influence mental health perceptions in your community?
47. How do you balance your use of technology and screen time for improved mental health?
48. Have you noticed any changes in your ability to concentrate or make decisions due to mental health issues?
49. How do you feel about the portrayal of mental health in the media, such as TV shows and movies?
50. Are there any specific changes or improvements you'd like to see in mental health support and awareness in your community?

Remember to phrase mental health survey questions carefully to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Additionally, based on their responses, it's important to provide appropriate resources and support for participants who may require assistance.

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