HOPESTAGE — PREPARE A MENTAL HEALTH SECOND OPINION
14 October 2026
Guide: https://www.hopestage.com/research/mental-health-second-opinion

This original worksheet helps you prepare a conversation with a clinician.
It is not a diagnostic test, a clinical referral or a treatment plan.
You can leave questions blank and ask someone to help you write.
Keep your copy somewhere appropriate for the private information it contains.
This download does not send your answers to HopeStage or a care service.

If you need urgent care, do not wait for a routine second opinion.
If you are in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, seek emergency medical help.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication to prepare for an assessment
without guidance from the prescribing clinician.

1. THE QUESTION I WANT REVIEWED
Name I want to use:
Date:
Diagnosis or treatment recommendation I was given:
Who explained it and when:
What I understand so far:
What is unclear or missing:
One or two examples I want considered:
What I want to understand by the end of the appointment:

A message to adapt:
"I would like another assessment of [specific diagnosis or treatment question].
I still have questions about [what is unclear], and I would like [relevant
experience or record] to be considered. Could you explain the referral options,
expected costs and how the findings would be discussed with my current care team?"

2. BEFORE BOOKING
Service / clinician I am contacting:
Can this service assess my specific question?
Clinician's qualifications and relevant experience:
Is this a consultation only or a possible transfer of ongoing care?
Referral needed / who will arrange it:
Service eligibility or location requirements:
Insurer or public funding approval needed:
Consultation fee / my expected cost:
Written report and follow-up included? Any separate fees?
Appointment date / format / accessibility or language support:
Who will receive the report and how do I get a copy?
How will sharing information and consent be handled?
Questions still unanswered / next contact date:

3. A BRIEF HISTORY
Repeat this block for significant periods. Approximate dates are fine:
Date or period (mark if approximate):
What I experienced or noticed:
Effect on everyday life:
Relevant treatment or other changes at that time:
What remains uncertain in my recollection:

4. INFORMATION TO PREPARE
Current medicines and supplements (check details against the current list):
Past treatments, approximate dates, benefits and difficulties:
Changes or missed treatment to describe accurately:
Relevant physical health information and allergies:
Records the clinic has requested:
Where to request earlier assessment letters or discharge summaries:
Specific factual errors I want to flag, with my account alongside them:
Secure route and deadline for sending documents:
Questions I want to ask about how my history was considered:

5. SUPPORT AND CONTINUING CARE
Would I like someone to attend? What help would I want from them?
Support or interpreter arrangements confirmed with the clinic:
Clinician responsible for ongoing care while I wait:
Prescribing and monitoring contact:
Who to contact about worsening symptoms or treatment problems:
Agreed urgent local route:

6. AFTER THE SECOND OPINION
Explanation given by the assessing clinician:
What information supported that explanation:
What was confirmed, what differed and what remains uncertain:
Further information or assessment recommended:
When and how I will receive the written report:
Who will discuss it with me:
Follow-up appointment or contact date:

Questions if the opinions differ:
- Did both assessments consider the same history and records?
- Which observations support each conclusion?
- Is this a confirmed diagnosis, a working explanation or still being assessed?
- Would more information or observation over time help?
- What does this mean for the next decision, and who will explain the options?

Do not try to reconcile conflicting medication instructions yourself.
Ask the responsible prescriber for clear instructions before making a change.

7. MY NEXT STEP
What I will ask for or follow up:
Who I will contact:
When: