PHQ-9 Depression Self-Screen
Validated 9-question scale — score + crisis resources
Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by:
PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) — public domain. NOT a diagnostic tool. Score helps decide whether to talk to a clinician.
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3. Trouble falling/staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4. Feeling tired or having little energy
5. Poor appetite or overeating
6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading or watching TV
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or so fidgety/restless you have been moving a lot more than usual
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or thoughts of hurting yourself in some way
🆘 If you are in crisis or thinking of suicide:
🇺🇸 USA: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
🇩🇪 Deutschland: 0800 111 0 111 (Telefonseelsorge, kostenlos, 24/7) · 0800 111 0 222
🇬🇧 UK: 116 123 (Samaritans, free, 24/7)
🇦🇹 Österreich: 142 (Telefonseelsorge) · 🇨🇭 Schweiz: 143 (Die Dargebotene Hand)
🌍 International: findahelpline.com — free, confidential, 24/7
🇺🇸 USA: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
🇩🇪 Deutschland: 0800 111 0 111 (Telefonseelsorge, kostenlos, 24/7) · 0800 111 0 222
🇬🇧 UK: 116 123 (Samaritans, free, 24/7)
🇦🇹 Österreich: 142 (Telefonseelsorge) · 🇨🇭 Schweiz: 143 (Die Dargebotene Hand)
🌍 International: findahelpline.com — free, confidential, 24/7
📚 Learn more — how it works, FAQ & guide Click to expand
Learn more — how it works, FAQ & guide
Click to expand
PHQ-9 Depression Self-Screening
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is a validated, publicly-available screening tool for depression severity. Used in clinical practice by GPs, psychologists, and primary care. Self-administered to help decide if professional evaluation is warranted.
How to use this tool
- 1
Answer 9 questions
Over the last 2 weeks — be honest with yourself.
- 2
Get total score
0-27 with severity bands.
- 3
Next steps
Resources to talk to a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PHQ-9 a real clinical tool?
Yes — Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is widely used by GPs, therapists, and researchers. Public domain. But screening ≠ diagnosis. Only a clinician can diagnose depression.
My score is high. What now?
Talk to a doctor or therapist. Many countries have free initial assessments. If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please use the crisis resources below — these are 24/7 and free.
Should I retake this?
Useful for tracking over time (e.g. monthly during therapy). Not useful for daily mood-checking — measures 2-week patterns.
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100% Privacy. This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your data is never uploaded to any server.