Screening tools
What mental health questionnaires actually measure
Screeners can organize a conversation about symptoms. They do not capture your whole history, context or needs, and they do not provide a diagnosis by themselves.
Reviewed November 2026
Four commonly used tools
| Tool | What it is designed to screen | How results are structured | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHQ-9 | Depressive symptoms over the past two weeks | 0–27; published guides describe severity bands | Not a standalone depression diagnosis |
| GAD-7 | Anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks | 0–21; commonly used severity bands | Does not distinguish every anxiety-related condition |
| C-SSRS | Suicidal ideation and behavior through structured questions | A structured protocol, not one universal score | Positive responses require appropriate follow-up, not self-interpretation |
| PC-PTSD-5 | Five items identifying probable PTSD in primary care | VA materials describe further evaluation based on responses | A positive or negative screen is not a complete evaluation |
PHQ-9 and GAD-7
Severity bands are not labels for your identity
PHQ-9 and GAD-7 ask about symptoms over a defined period. Their published scoring bands can help a clinician understand severity and monitor change, but the same score can mean different things in different contexts. A physical health issue, medication, grief, stress or another condition can also affect responses.
A low score does not make your experience invalid. A higher score does not prove a particular diagnosis. Discuss the result and what is happening in daily life with a qualified professional.
C-SSRS and immediate safety
Suicide screening should lead to appropriate action
The Columbia Protocol uses structured questions about suicidal ideation and behavior. It is not something to turn into a private pass/fail judgment. If you are thinking about suicide, may be in danger or are worried about someone else, use crisis support rather than relying on a score.
Open crisis resources →What to do after a screening
- Write down when and why you completed it and any relevant context.
- Note changes in sleep, work, relationships, appetite, energy and daily functioning.
- Bring the result and questions to a primary care or mental health professional.
- Ask what follow-up evaluation or support is appropriate.
- If immediate safety is a concern, skip the paperwork and call 988 or 911 as appropriate.
Common questions
Can a PHQ-9 score diagnose depression?+
No. It can support screening and monitoring, but diagnosis requires an appropriate evaluation and context.
If my score is low, should I ignore how I feel?+
No. A low score does not invalidate distress or rule out every condition. You can still discuss your concerns with a professional.
Should I use C-SSRS to decide whether I am safe?+
Do not make that decision alone from a questionnaire. If safety is uncertain, call 988 for crisis support or 911 in immediate danger.
Why would a primary care clinician screen for PTSD?+
The PC-PTSD-5 is a brief tool designed to identify probable PTSD and guide whether a fuller evaluation is appropriate. It is not the evaluation itself.
Sources
This page explains categories, not individualized interpretation. No screening is performed by this website.