Which assessment tool addresses both mental health and substance abuse?

The DASA/Substance Abuse screen is designed specifically to assess both mental health issues and substance abuse. This tool focuses on identifying the presence of substance use disorders and their impacts on mental health, making it comprehensive for evaluating these interrelated areas. By addressing both mental health symptoms and substance use, the DASA/Substance Abuse screen provides a holistic view of an individual’s needs, which is crucial for creating effective treatment plans that encompass all aspects of a person's well-being.

Other options, while valuable in their own right, do not adequately address both aspects simultaneously. The CANS assessment primarily focuses on the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of children and youth, rather than explicitly targeting substance abuse. The ASAM criteria, although crucial for determining the level of care for substance use disorders, do not directly address mental health assessments as part of their primary focus. The Child Behavior Checklist is largely aimed at assessing behavioral and emotional problems in children but does not encompass substance use issues. Thus, the DASA/Substance Abuse screen stands out as the most appropriate tool for dual assessment in this context.