# What is the difference between mental health screening and diagnosis?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/mental-health-screening-vs-diagnosis
For: Patients | Mental health care | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** Screening is a brief check, often a short questionnaire, that flags symptoms or risks that may need a closer look. Diagnosis is a clinical conclusion reached by a qualified professional after considering your history, symptoms, how long they have lasted, daily functioning, context and other possible explanations. A positive screen does not confirm a condition, a negative one does not rule it out, and apps or online quizzes cannot diagnose.

### Why the difference matters

- Screening scores can be affected by language, literacy, culture, physical illness and temporary stress.
- False positives and false negatives happen, so results need interpretation and follow-up.
- Diagnosis considers duration, severity, impairment, physical causes, medicines, substance use and other conditions.
- A low score should never override serious safety concerns or warning signs.

Use screening results as a starting point for a conversation with a professional, not for self-diagnosis. Where clinics store screening results, this should happen within a governed workflow with privacy safeguards and clinical review.

> **Important:** A low screening score must not override serious safety concerns or clinical warning signs.

> **Important:** If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, contact emergency services now. In Kenya, call 999, 112 or 911. Outside Kenya, use the emergency number for your location.

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**About Tymira Health:** Tymira Health is a healthcare technology company based in Nairobi, Kenya. It builds Tymira360, a practice management and EHR platform for mental health, physiotherapy and dental providers, clinics, hospitals, NGOs and insurers across Africa.

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