PHQ-9 depression self-test
The PHQ-9 is a 9-question screening tool for depression. It takes about two minutes, your answers stay in your browser, and it cannot diagnose you.
Last updated 2 November 2026
What the PHQ-9 measures
The PHQ-9 asks about the nine symptoms used to recognise a major depressive episode: low mood, loss of interest, sleep, energy, appetite, feelings of worthlessness, concentration, restlessness or slowing, and thoughts of death or self-harm. Each is scored from 0 to 3 for how often it has bothered you over the last two weeks, and the total runs from 0 to 27. Doctors and nurses around the world use it to notice depression early and to track whether treatment is working.
What this test cannot do
A score is not a diagnosis. The PHQ-9 can be high when you are grieving, ill, exhausted or going through a hard time that will pass, and it can be low when someone hides how they feel. It does not tell the difference between depression and bipolar disorder, thyroid problems, anaemia or the effects of alcohol and some medicines. Only a clinician who talks with you, and sometimes orders tests, can decide what is going on and what would help.
Your answers stay with you. The questions are scored in your browser. Nothing you select is saved, sent to Mindly or shared with anyone. If you close the page, your answers are gone.
Take the PHQ-9
How to read your score
Scores run from 0 to 27. Higher scores mean more symptoms in the period asked about. After you submit, this page shows your score and its main marker only. For a fuller explanation of what it means for you, and what to do next, please reach out to our team.
| Score | Main marker |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | Minimal or none |
| 5-9 | Mild |
| 10-14 | Moderate |
| 15-19 | Moderately severe |
| 20-27 | Severe |
What to do next
A score alone cannot tell you what is going on, so this page does not interpret it for you. To understand what your answers mean and what could help, please reach out to our team, who can talk it through and arrange a free pre-consultation call if you would like one. If you answered above zero on the question about harming yourself, please speak to someone today: call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Related reading and care
- Depression: signs and treatment
- Hindi-speaking clinicians for depression
- Kannada-speaking clinicians for depression
- Tamil-speaking clinicians for depression
- Helplines and resources in India
- All self-tests
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed by Drs Robert Spitzer, Janet Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues and are free to use.
Book your free pre-consultation call
Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Is the PHQ-9 accurate?
It is one of the most widely used depression screeners and has been tested in many countries. It is a screening tool, so some people with a high score are not depressed and some with a low score are. A clinician makes the diagnosis.
What does a score of 10 mean?
Ten or more is commonly used as the point at which depression becomes likely enough to merit a proper assessment. It does not mean that you have depression.
What if I answer above zero on the last question?
Thoughts of death or self-harm should always be taken seriously, even if they come and go. Please speak to someone today, and call 112 or Tele-MANAS on 14416 if you feel unsafe.
Why does the result show only a score and a marker?
A questionnaire score cannot tell you what is going on without a conversation. To get the full picture, please reach out to our team, who can talk it through with you.
Will Mindly see my answers?
No. The questions are scored in your browser and nothing is sent, saved or tracked. If you want your clinician to see the result, you can tell them the score.
References
Mindly Health is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.