Useful things to take
- Your appointment letter or message if you have one.
- A current medication list, including doses if known.
- Short notes about symptoms, changes and how daily life is affected.
- Questions you want answered.
- Any documents the service specifically asked for.
You can bring support
You may be able to bring a friend, relative or advocate. Check with the service beforehand if you are unsure, especially for video or specialist assessments.
Do not worry if you forget something
An appointment is a conversation, not an exam. If you remember an important detail afterwards, contact the service and ask how best to add it to your record or pass it to the clinician.
Prepare without trying to be perfect
Write down the things you most want remembered. You can read from your notes, show them to the clinician, or use the free appointment-prep tool to put them in order.
Open appointment prep →Trusted sources
NHS: mental-health assessments ↗General information, not a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. Exact processes vary by service. Reviewed 8 September 2026.