The RHS-15 is a tool for screening refugees for emotional distress and mental health. The RHS-15 Packet includes the RHS-15 tool, background on the tool’s development, and guidelines on using the RHS-15 with recently resettled refugees. To access the RHS-15 in all languages, complete the linked JotForm and download your desired language(s) via DropBox.
Early screening and intervention for emotional distress among newly arrived refugees is rarely conducted. Existing instruments are not designed for refugees or may be cumbersome to administer in health care settings. The RHS-15 was developed in a community public health setting to be an efficient and effective way to sensitively detect the range of emotional distress common across refugee groups.
The first 13 questions of the RHS-15 are known as the RHS-13. These questions relate to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The RHS-13 may be used as a shorter screening tool, leaving off questions #14 and #15. For the RHS-13, a total score ≥ 11 is interpreted as screening positive.
