Should detainees’ mental and emotional health be assessed during initial screenings?

Assessing detainees’ mental and emotional health during initial screenings is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, mental health is an integral part of overall health. Detainees may enter custody with pre-existing mental health conditions or may develop issues due to the stress of detention. Prioritizing mental health assessments ensures that any psychological issues are identified early, allowing for appropriate interventions that can mitigate suffering and promote well-being.

Furthermore, addressing mental health needs can improve the detainees' ability to cope with their situation, decrease the risk of self-harm or suicide, and enhance cooperation with staff. Neglecting mental health assessments compromises the ethical responsibility of the caregivers and the system to provide comprehensive care.

Additionally, the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence play a crucial role in this context. Healthcare providers have a duty to act in the best interest of the detainees, ensuring they receive care that promotes their health and prevents harm, which includes mental health considerations.

While the other options suggest varying limitations on the assessments, they fall short of acknowledging the importance of mental health. Only focusing on physical injuries ignores a significant aspect of health, while conditional screenings—based solely on a detainee's request or under supervision—could lead to inadequate