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Depression Screening Self-Check (PHQ-9)

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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 -- free, confidential, available 24/7, for any level of distress.

This is the standard 9-question PHQ-9 depression screening tool used by doctors. Answer based on the past two weeks. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Nothing you answer here is saved or sent anywhere -- it stays only in your browser and disappears when you leave.

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
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3. Trouble falling or 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 the newspaper or watching television
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed -- or the opposite, being so fidgety or restless that you've been moving around a lot more than usual
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

Answer all 9 questions to see your result.

The PHQ-9 is a public-domain instrument developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams, and Kroenke with support from Pfizer. This tool runs entirely in your browser -- your answers are never saved to this device or sent to any server.

The standard 9-question PHQ-9 depression screening questionnaire, used by doctors worldwide -- answer honestly, see your score and what it typically means, and get the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number, always visible. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Nothing you answer is saved or sent anywhere -- it runs entirely in your browser and disappears when you leave the page.

This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial or medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions. See our Disclaimer.

How it works

  1. Answer all 9 questions about the past two weeks, using the same 0-3 scale doctors use
  2. See your total score (0-27) and which of the five standard severity bands it falls in
  3. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is shown throughout, and gets calm, clear emphasis if your answer to the self-harm question is anything other than "Not at all"

Frequently asked questions

Is this a diagnosis?

No. The PHQ-9 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. Only a qualified healthcare or mental health professional can make an actual diagnosis -- this tool can help you decide whether it's worth having that conversation.

Is anything I answer saved anywhere?

No. This page runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server and nothing is saved to this device -- refresh the page and your answers are gone.

My score is high. What should I do right now?

Regardless of your score, if you're struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is free, confidential, and available 24/7. A score of 10 or higher is generally a reason to talk with a healthcare provider about next steps.

Where does the PHQ-9 come from?

It was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, and Kurt Kroenke with support from Pfizer, and is a public-domain instrument used widely, including by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

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From the blog

National Depression Screening Day: what the PHQ-9 actually measures, and what it doesn't
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National Depression Screening Day: what the PHQ-9 actually measures, and what it doesn't

About 1 in 5 U.S. adults are affected by depression each year, and only about a third seek help. The PHQ-9 is the same free, standard tool doctors use to screen for it.

2026-09-30

Update history

  • 2026-09-30 Launched: the standard 9-item PHQ-9 screening questionnaire with public-domain scoring bands, an always-visible 988 crisis line, and zero server storage of answers.