Depression Screener (PHQ-9)

What it measures

How much you have been affected by symptoms of depression over the past two weeks, using the PHQ-9 — a nine-item questionnaire covering mood, interest, sleep, energy, appetite, self-worth, concentration, and thoughts of self-harm. Your total score (0–27) maps onto bands from minimal to severe depression.

How it works

You rate how often each of nine symptoms has troubled you over the last two weeks, from ‘not at all’ (0) to ‘nearly every day’ (3). The responses are added into a single score that corresponds to validated severity bands. The final item asks sensitively about thoughts of self-harm, and any positive answer triggers a safety message.

Tips for an accurate result

• 1Be honest, especially about hard things — Difficult symptoms are exactly what this check is for. Truthful answers help you get the right support sooner.
• 2Watch the trend — Repeating the PHQ-9 over weeks shows whether your mood is lifting or sinking — a pattern matters more than a single score.
• 3Protect daily structure — Keeping some routine, gentle activity, daylight, and contact with people you trust can help support recovery alongside treatment.
• 4Talk to someone if scores stay high — If your score is moderate or above, or symptoms persist, reach out to your GP — depression is common and very treatable.