WHO-5 vs PHQ-9 — wellbeing check or depression screen?
The WHO-5 asks about positive experiences over the last 2 weeks: good spirits, calm, energy, waking rested and interest in life. A low score (≤12) does not diagnose depression — it signals that wellbeing is low enough to look closer, e.g. by taking the PHQ-9.
The PHQ-9 goes a step further: it asks directly about 9 depression symptoms from the diagnostic criteria — from anhedonia to passive thoughts of giving up — and has validated severity cutoffs (5/10/15/20).
In practice the WHO-5 works like a smoke detector and the PHQ-9 like a closer inspection: the first is friendly and positively worded (great for regular check-ins), the second more clinically specific. Both are educational screening tools — only a professional can make a diagnosis.
When to use: WHO-5 Well-Being Test (5 items)
- You want to monitor your overall wellbeing regularly
- You prefer positively worded questions
- You do a quick check-in every few weeks
When to use: Depression Screening — PHQ-9 (9 items)
- You have felt low or lost joy for ≥2 weeks
- A low WHO-5 score suggested a closer screen
- You want concrete symptom-severity cutoffs
Not sure? Take both tests!