Mental health screening tools: a reference for clinicians and educators
This is a working reference to the validated self-report screening instruments covered on Symptomatik, grouped by what they screen for. Each row gives the number of items, the score range, the threshold most often used to flag a positive screen, the population it was built for and the licence status, with links to the article and, where the licence allows, an interactive version.
It is maintained by a psychologist and psychometrician, and written for the people who choose, teach and interpret these tools: clinicians, lecturers, students and librarians putting together course materials.
The Symptomatik OCD self-check is an original, unvalidated screening aid and is deliberately left out of this list. For a validated measure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, see the OCI-R.
Screening is not diagnosis
Every instrument here is a screening tool. A score above threshold means a conversation with a qualified clinician is worth having. Only that clinical assessment can establish a diagnosis. Thresholds trade sensitivity against specificity, and the published values come from particular samples, so a cutoff that suits primary care may over-identify in a student population.
For teaching, the useful exercise is usually to score a case vignette and then discuss what the number cannot tell you: duration, functional impairment, differential diagnosis and context.
Licences, in plain words
"Free to use" means the rights holder states that no permission is needed. "Free with attribution" adds a condition, usually crediting the source. "Check terms" marks instruments that are widely used free of charge but whose reproduction terms we have not confirmed in writing; check with the rights holder before copying the form into course materials. "Restricted" instruments are described on Symptomatik without their items.
Citing Symptomatik and the instruments
Each article ends with an instrument reference block that gives the page citation in APA 7 and the original validation study. Cite the validation study when you refer to the instrument, and the Symptomatik page when you refer to our explanation or scoring guide.
Licence
Free to use
Free to use, copy and teach with; no permission is needed. Cite the original study.
Free with attribution
Free for clinical, teaching and research use, with the attribution the rights holder asks for.
Check terms
Widely used free of charge in clinical practice and research. Check the rights holder’s terms before reproducing the form.
Restricted
Copyrighted, with permission or a licence needed to reproduce it. We describe it here and do not reproduce the items.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these tools in my class?
Instruments marked "Free to use" can be used and copied for teaching. For "Free with attribution", credit the source as the rights holder asks. For "Check terms", link to the article or the official source rather than copying the form until you have checked the rights holder’s terms.
Which tool should I start with for depression and anxiety?
In primary care the usual route is a two-item screen first (PHQ-2 for depression, GAD-2 for anxiety) and the full PHQ-9 or GAD-7 when the short screen is positive. The DASS-21 and K10 are broader distress measures.
Who reviews this list?
The mental-health pages are reviewed by dr Błażej Mroziński, a psychologist and psychometrician at SWPS University. Corrections are welcome.
Why is a well-known instrument missing?
Some widely taught instruments, such as the Beck Depression Inventory, are commercially licensed and cannot be reproduced here. Others are on the list as articles only because their licence does not allow an online version.