Which of the following is a common assessment tool in mental health?

Standardized questionnaires are a common assessment tool in mental health because they offer a systematic way to measure a variety of psychological constructs, such as mood, personality traits, and symptom severity. These questionnaires are designed to be administered in a consistent manner, allowing for easier comparison across different individuals and groups. Their reliability and validity are typically demonstrated through research, making them an effective tool for clinicians to gather consistent data over time and across populations. This method also facilitates monitoring changes in a client's mental health status during and after treatment.

In contrast, empirical observation, while valuable, relies heavily on the observer's subjective interpretation and may not capture the full complexity of an individual's mental health. Interpersonal communication techniques, while essential for building rapport and understanding a client’s context, do not serve as formal assessment tools. Similarly, unstructured personal narratives can provide rich qualitative insights but lack the standardized metrics necessary for objective comparison or systematic evaluation. Thus, standardized questionnaires stand out for their capacity to deliver reliable, quantifiable assessments in a mental health context.