# What should a mental health intake form include?

URL: https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/what-should-a-mental-health-intake-form-include
For: Clinicians | Mental health practice | Last reviewed 23 July 2026

**Answer:** A mental health intake form should collect only what helps the team prepare for the first session and act safely: identity, safe contact preferences, the reason for seeking care in the patient's own words, referral details, current medicines and supports, access needs, consent and clinically approved risk questions. Keep it short, plain-language and mobile-first. Every field needs a clear use, and every submission needs a named reviewer. Intake prepares the team; it does not replace clinical assessment.

### What good intake looks like

Intake should make the first appointment safer and more focused without overwhelming the patient. Health data is sensitive personal data under Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019, so if no one will use an answer, remove the question.

- Design for low-cost phones, weak connections and small screens, with short sections and save-and-return where possible.
- Make sensitive questions optional and explain why they are asked. Do not require diagnosis history or national ID numbers by default.
- Only ask risk questions if a clinically reviewed pathway routes high-risk answers to a named person, with stated review times.
- Keep registration, consent and clinical assessment as separate steps, and avoid links or reminders that reveal the service on a shared device.

Read the full guide: [Patient Intake and Digital Front Door Guide for Clinics](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/blog/healthcare-digital-front-door-patient-intake-guide)

> **Important:** This Knowledge Hub article is operational education. It does not diagnose, treat, replace professional care, or provide legal advice. Local clinical, privacy, and compliance review should guide live clinic use.

> **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.

## Related questions

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- [Can a teenager consent to counselling without a parent in Kenya?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-a-teenager-consent-to-counselling-without-a-parent-in-kenya)
- [Can family members or carers be given information about an adult client?](https://tymirahealth.com/resources/faqs/can-family-members-or-carers-be-given-information-about-an-adult-client)

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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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