About our mental health tests

MHA Screening is a collection of free, confidential, and scientifically validated mental health screening tools. The resources on this page help explain how each screening tool (test) was developed, which populations it has been validated for, and under which conditions it may be reproduced (if any).

Information about specific tests

Click on the name of a test to learn more, or simply scroll down the page.

For information about mental health testing in general:

Addiction Test: SUSC/ASC/BASC

This screening tool combines 3 questionnaires designed to assess different types of addiction. When a user first selects the Addiction Test, we ask them which substances or behaviors they are most concerned about. Their answer determines which questionnaire they will see.

The ASC and SUSC are based on the DSM-V criteria for alcohol and other substance use disorders.

The Behavioral Addiction Symptom Checklist (BASC) is an experimental questionnaire for assessing addictive and compulsive behaviors, based on the SUSC and ASC. The BASC was developed by Mental Health America in partnership with researchers at the University of Washington. The BASC does not include scoring cutoffs for symptom severity. Validation of the questionnaire is ongoing.

Users may choose to take the Addiction Test multiple times if they are concerned about multiple substances or behaviors.

References

  • Source for Substance Use Symptom Checklist (SUSC): Matson, Hallgren, Lapham, et al. (2023). Psychometric Performance of a Substance Use Symptom Checklist to Help Clinicians Assess Substance Use Disorder in Primary Care. JAMA Network Open 6(5). Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2805323
  • Source for Alcohol Symptom Checklist (ASC): Hallgren, Matson, Oliver, et al. (2022). Practical Assessment of Alcohol Use Disorder in Routine Primary Care: Performance of an Alcohol Symptom Checklist. Journal of General Internal Medicine 37(8), pp. 1885-1893. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34398395/

ADHD Test: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1

For people of all ages who have trouble focusing, remembering things, completing tasks, and/or sitting still.

The ASRS v1.1 was published in 2005 and has been widely used ever since. It has been validated for adults as well as adolescents ages 13 and up.

We use v1.1, rather than the newer DSM-5 version, because v1.1 has been evaluated more rigorously for reliability and validity, especially with adolescent populations.

Scoring

In addition to the overall score, there are also two subscales: one for inattention, and another for hyperactivity/impulsivity. The highest possible score on each of these subscales is 9. The subscales are for your information only—they do not indicate a diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type, hyperactive/impulsive type, or combined type.

References

  • Original source: Kessler, R. C. et al. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological medicine, 35(2), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291704002892
  • Adler, L. A., & Newcorn, J. H. (2011). Administering and evaluating the results of the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) in adolescents. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 72(6), e20. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.10081tx2c
  • Adler, L.A. et al. (2012). Preliminary Examination of the Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale v1.1 Symptom Checklist to Rate Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 22(3), pp. 238-244. http://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2011.0062
  • Green, J.G., et al. (2019). Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Screener in an adolescent community sample. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 28(1), p. 1751. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1751

Anxiety Test: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7)

For people experiencing extreme worry or fear that affects their ability to function day-to-day. The Anxiety Test is also available in Spanish.

The GAD-7 is part of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ). The PHQ, including the GAD-7, was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. For research information, contact Dr. Spitzer at [email protected]. PRIME-MD® is a trademark of Pfizer Inc. Copyright© 1999 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.

All PHQ screeners and translations are downloadable from Pfizer’s website. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute them [source].

References

Bipolar Test: Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

This instrument was developed by a committee composed of the following individuals:

  • Chairman, Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, MD – University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Joseph R. Calabrese, MD – Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
  • Laurie Flynn – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  • Paul E. Keck, Jr., MD – University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  • Lydia Lewis – National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
  • Robert M. Post, MD – National Institute of Mental Health
  • Gary S. Sachs, MD – Harvard University School of Medicine
  • Robert L. Spitzer, MD – Columbia University
  • Janet Williams, DSW – Columbia University
  • John M. Zajecka, MD – Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center.

The MDQ is widely available on the web and is included in the papers cited below. Use requires the permission of the author, who can be contacted at e-mail: [email protected] [source].

References

Depression Test: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)

For people experiencing overwhelming sadness or despair, low energy, or negative self-image. The Depression Test is also available in Spanish.

The PHQ-9 is part of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ). The PHQ, including the PHQ-9, was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. For research information, contact Dr. Spitzer at [email protected]. PRIME-MD® is a trademark of Pfizer Inc. Copyright© 1999 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.

All PHQ screeners and translations are downloadable from Pfizer’s website. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute them [source].

References

Postpartum Depression Test (New and Expecting Parents): Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

For new & expecting parents who began feeling overwhelming sadness during pregnancy or after their child’s birth.

Users may reproduce this scale without further permission providing they respect the copyright (which remains with the British Journal of Psychiatry), quote the names of the authors and include the title and the source of the paper in all reproduced copies.

  • Original Source: Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M., and Sagovsky, R. 1987. Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150:782-786.
  • K. L. Wisner, B. L. Parry, C. M. Piontek, Postpartum Depression N Engl J Med vol. 347, No 3, July 18, 2002, 194-199

Eating Disorder Test: Stanford-Washington University Eating Disorder Screen (SWED)

To explore unhealthy relationships with food that impact your physical health and overall well-being. The Eating Disorder Test is coded and scored based on the current diagnostic criteria of various eating disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

To learn more about the various criteria for different eating disorders, visit Information by  Eating Disorder from our partner the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

  • Original source: Graham, A.K., Trockel, M., Weisman, H, Fitzsimmons-Craft, E.E., Balantekin, K.N., Wilfley, D.E., & Taylor, C.B. (2019). A screening tool for detecting eating disorder risk and diagnostic symptoms among college-age women. Journal of American College Health 67(4), pp. 357-366. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320726/

Parent Test: Your Child’s Mental Health: Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17)

For parents who are worried that their child’s emotions, attention, or behaviors might be a mental health concern. (For youth who are concerned about their own mental health, the Youth Mental Health Test is also available.)

This version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist was published in 1999 and has been widely used and studied since then.

Interpreting scores

In addition to the Total Score, 3 subscores are calculated using specific questions from the test. It’s possible to score high on one or more subscores while also having a low total score.

  • Total Score:
    Children/teens with scores of 30 or higher usually have significant difficulties in overall psychosocial functioning.
  • Anxiety/Depression Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 5 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with anxiety and/or depression.
  • Attention Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with attention.
  • Conduct Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with conduct.

References

Psychosis Test: Prodromal Questionnaire—Brief Version (PQ-B)

For people who feel like their brain is playing tricks on them (seeing, hearing or believing things that don’t seem real or quite right).

  • Original source: Loewy, Rachel L., Pearson, R., Vinogradov, S., Bearden, C. E., & Cannon, T. D. (2011). Psychosis risk screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire—Brief Version (PQ-B). Schizophrenia Research 12(1) pp. 42-46. DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.03.029
  • Savill, M., D’Ambrosio, J., Cannon, T. D., Loewy, R. (2017). Psychosis risk screening in different populations using the Prodromal Questionnaire: A systematic review. Early Intervention in Psychiatry 12(1), pp. 3-14. DOI: 10.1111/eip.12446

PTSD Test: Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)

For people experiencing ongoing distress after a traumatic life event.

PC-PTSD-5 is in the Public Domain and available at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/screens/pc-ptsd.asp.

  • Original Source: Prins, A., Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Kaloupek, D. G, Marx, B. P., Pless Kaiser, A., & Schnurr, P. P. (2015). Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). [Measurement instrument].
  • Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Weathers, F. W., Prins, A., Marx, B. P., Post, E. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) among US Veterans (PDF). JAMA Network Open, 4(2). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36733
  • Prins, A., Bovin, M. J., Smolenski, D. J., Mark, B. P., Kimerling, R., Jenkins-Guarnieri, M. A., Kaloupek, D. G., Schnurr, P. P., Pless Kaiser, A., Leyva, Y. E., & Tiet, Q. Q. (2016). The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): Development and evaluation within a Veteran primary care sample. (PDF) Journal of General Internal Medicine 31, pp. 1206-1211. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3703-5

Youth Mental Health Test: Pediatric Symptom Checklist – Youth Self-Report (PSC-Y)

For young people (age 11-17) who are concerned that their emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem. (For parents who are concerned about their child’s mental health, the Parent Test is also available.)

The Pediatric Symptom Checklist was published in 1988 and has been widely used and studied since then.

Interpreting scores

In addition to the Total Score, 3 subscores are calculated using specific questions from the test. It’s possible to score high on one or more subscores while also having a low total score.

  • Total Score:
    Children/teens with scores of 30 or higher usually have significant difficulties in overall psychosocial functioning.
  • Anxiety/Depression Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 5 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with anxiety and/or depression.
  • Attention Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with attention.
  • Conduct Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with conduct.

References

Surveys

In addition to mental health screening tools, we also conduct surveys related to mental health. These surveys help us develop better mental health supports for people like you!

Anything with “Survey” in the title is not a clinically validated mental health screening tool. Responses to surveys are subject to the same Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as our mental health tests.