Mental health check · Self-check

Depression self-check (PHQ-9)

Need help now? In Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) or 000 in an emergency. Elsewhere, see support lines by country or findahelpline.com.

The PHQ-9 is a 9-question checklist used by GPs around the world to screen for symptoms of depression and to track how they change. It takes about 2 minutes. It’s a screening check, not a diagnosis.

For adults (18 and over). For young people, talk to a GP, or contact Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or headspace (Australia).

Private by design: your answers stay in this browser tab. They aren’t saved, sent or tracked, and they disappear when you close or refresh the page. (Like every page on Malady Wise, we count anonymous page visits, without cookies, but never your answers or score.)

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

4. Feeling tired or having little energy

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

5. Poor appetite or overeating

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

6. Feeling bad about yourself — or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite — being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way

Not at allSeveral daysMore than half the daysNearly every day

If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people? (optional, not scored)

Not difficult at allSomewhat difficultVery difficultExtremely difficult

What to do next

In Australia

See your GP. Take your score with you if it helps start the conversation. Your GP can talk through how you’ve been, check for physical causes (such as thyroid problems, anaemia or medicine side effects) and discuss options.
Mental Health Treatment Plan. If it would help, your GP can prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Under the Better Access program, this gives Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions a calendar year with a psychologist or another eligible mental health professional. Since 1 November 2025, the plan is made by your usual GP or at the practice where you’re registered with MyMedicare.
Free help without a referral: MindSpot (free online and phone assessment and courses for adults), Medicare Mental Health (formerly Head to Health; phone 1800 595 212, weekdays) and Beyond Blue (24/7 phone and web chat).

Outside Australia

See your GP or family doctor and mention your score.
UK: in England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP first.
US: the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) offers free, confidential treatment referral 24/7, and 988 is there for anyone in distress.
New Zealand: your GP, or call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor.

Things that often help

Tell one person you trust how you’re really going.
Keep regular sleep and wake times, move your body most days, and go easy on alcohol.
Plan one small, doable thing each day that you enjoy or that gives a sense of achievement.
Read more in our depression and anxiety fact sheets.

Support lines

If you or someone else is in danger right now, call your emergency number. To talk to someone, any time:

Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7, or text 0477 13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 13YARN 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Emergency: 000.
Young people in Australia: Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (24/7, ages 5 to 25) or headspace (ages 12 to 25).
New Zealand: call or text 1737. Emergency: 111.
UK and Ireland: Samaritans 116 123. Emergency: 999 (or 112).
US and Canada: call or text 988. Emergency: 911.
Anywhere else: findahelpline.com lists free helplines in more than 100 countries.

How it works

Each of the 9 questions scores 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), for a total of 0 to 27.
Standard score ranges: 0–4 minimal, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe, 20–27 severe.
In the original study, a score of 10 or more picked up about 88 in 100 people with major depression, while about 12 in 100 people without it also scored 10 or more. That’s why a score is a reason to talk to your GP, not a diagnosis.
Question 9 asks about thoughts of death or self-harm. Any answer other than “Not at all” is important to discuss with a doctor, whatever your total score.
The last question (how difficult things have been) isn’t scored, but it helps show how much symptoms are affecting your life.

Common questions

Is this an official depression test?

The PHQ-9 is a real, widely used questionnaire that GPs and researchers use to screen for depression and track symptoms. But no questionnaire can diagnose depression on its own, online or in a clinic. A diagnosis comes from a conversation with a health professional who can ask follow-up questions and check for other causes.

What does my PHQ-9 score mean?

Scores of 0–4 suggest minimal symptoms, 5–9 mild, 10–14 moderate, 15–19 moderately severe and 20–27 severe. A score of 10 or more is the usual point where a GP would look further. Whatever your score, if you’re struggling, or you answered anything other than “Not at all” to question 9, talk to your GP.

Can I do this for my teenager?

This version is for adults filling it in about themselves. Young people’s mood can look different, and teenagers need a check with a GP or a youth service. In Australia, headspace (ages 12 to 25) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800, ages 5 to 25) can help. If you’re worried about their safety, call 000 or your local emergency number.

How often can I repeat the PHQ-9?

It asks about the last 2 weeks, so repeating it every 2 to 4 weeks can show whether things are improving. Many GPs use it this way during treatment.

Are my answers saved?

No. Your answers stay in this browser tab and disappear when you close or refresh the page. Nothing is stored or sent.

About this questionnaire

PHQ-9 © Pfizer Inc. Developed by Drs Robert L Spitzer, Janet BW Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute. The questions are reproduced in their original validated wording, which uses some US spelling.

Source: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JBW. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med 2001;16(9):606–613. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x. More at phqscreeners.com.

More checks: Depression (PHQ-9) · Anxiety (GAD-7) · Distress (K10)

Reviewed 8 November 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. These checks don’t diagnose any condition; talk to your GP or doctor about your results.