The necessity of engaging qualified interpreters to work in partnership with mental health clinicians when serving patients with a limited English proficiency (LEP) is gaining widespread support. Numerous research studies have documented improved patient health and satisfaction outcomes in this regard. Psychiatric practice often involves complexities of thought, language, and communication that clinicians and interpreters must appreciate. One such topic is engaging LEP patients in the mental status examination (MSE). This chapter describes the nature of the MSE, challenges when interpreting for the MSE, strategies for handling such challenges, and approaches for effective collaboration between interpreters and mental health clinicians regarding the MSE and cross-linguistic mental health care more broadly. The current state of scholarship in the field of mental health interpreting and training opportunities for interpreters who seek to improve their knowledge and skills in the mental health arena also are discussed.
