Screening
Mood & Depression Self-Screening test
A structured check-in on low mood.
What this test is
A self-screening questionnaire covering common low-mood symptoms over the past two weeks — energy, interest, sleep and self-view. This is an educational self-assessment, not a diagnostic instrument, and it cannot replace professional assessment.
This is a screening and self-assessment tool. It cannot diagnose any condition and is not a substitute for assessment by a qualified professional. If you are struggling, please speak with a doctor or a mental health professional.
Who it is for
Anyone who wants a structured description of this side of themselves — for their own understanding, for a conversation with someone close to them, or as preparation for a decision. It is an educational self-assessment: it is not a recruitment instrument and it is not a clinical or diagnostic assessment.
How the test works
You answer 20 statements one at a time on a five-point agreement scale, which takes about 8 minutes. Roughly half the items are reverse-keyed, so agreeing with everything does not inflate your scores. Answers are averaged per dimension and reported as a percentage of the maximum for that dimension, then turned into a written profile.
What you'll receive
- Your symptom range with a clear explanation
- What the result means and what it does not
- Evidence-based next steps and support options
What it measures
Mood and interest
Low mood and loss of enjoyment.
Energy and sleep
Physical energy and rest.
Self-view
How you regard yourself currently.
Limitations
This is a self-report questionnaire, so it measures how you describe yourself today — which is shaped by mood, recent events and how you would like to be seen. Scores are percentages within this test, not percentile ranks against a population sample. Read the result as a description to think with, not a fact about you. How to interpret your results goes into this in more depth.
Scientific basis
- Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613. View publication
- Levis, B., Benedetti, A., & Thombs, B. D. (2019). Accuracy of the PHQ-9 for screening to detect major depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 365, l1476. View publication
See all scientific references behind our assessments.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the mood & depression self-screening test take?
About 8 minutes. There are 20 statements, each answered on a five-point agreement scale, one at a time.
Is the mood & depression self-screening test free?
Taking the test and seeing your scored preview is free. The complete written report is an optional one-off unlock — there is no subscription.
How are my results calculated?
Each answer becomes a number, reverse-keyed items are flipped, and the items belonging to each dimension are averaged and expressed as a percentage of the maximum for that dimension.
Do I need an account?
No account is needed to start. You create a free account when you finish, so your answers and any unlocked report stay available to you.
Can this assessment diagnose a condition?
No. It is an educational screening self-assessment. It describes what you reported and cannot diagnose anything. Speak with a doctor or a qualified mental health professional if a result concerns you.
Related tests
- Take the anxiety self-screening test
A structured check-in on anxiety symptoms.
- Take the psychopathy traits test
Explore callousness, impulsivity and boldness in your personality.