SCHOLAR | Wellness Hub | Screening Tools

Screening Tools

Put language to what you have been feeling — and take the first step toward understanding it.

Sometimes the hardest part of seeking help is not knowing where to begin — or not being certain that what you are experiencing is serious enough to warrant attention. Screening tools exist to bridge that gap. They are brief, evidence-based questionnaires that help you identify whether what you are feeling aligns with recognized patterns of mental health, substance use, or other behavioral health concerns.

They are not a diagnosis. They are a starting point — a way of putting language to your experience and deciding whether to take the next step. And sometimes, simply having language for what you have been carrying is itself a profound act of self-understanding.

All screening tools on this page are free, evidence-based, and link to trusted external sources. Each tool includes a brief description, what it measures, and how to interpret

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The screening tools on this page are evidence-based instruments designed to help you identify potential areas of concern — they are not diagnostic tools. A screening result does not constitute a diagnosis and should never be interpreted as one. Results are intended as a starting point for a conversation with a qualified behavioral health professional, not a conclusion.

If your results suggest significant concern in any area — or if you are experiencing significant distress regardless of your results — we encourage you to reach out to a qualified clinician. Scholar is here to help.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger — call 988 or 911 immediately.

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Mental Health Screening Tools

DEPRESSION SCREENING

Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

The PHQ-9 is one of the most widely used and thoroughly validated screening tools for depression in the world. It consists of nine questions based on the DSM diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and takes only a few minutes to complete. It helps identify the presence and severity of depressive symptoms — from mild to severe.

What it measures: Presence and severity of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks

Time to complete: 2 – 4 minutes

Source: PHQ Screeners — Pfizer / Columbia University

Access the PHQ-9

ANXIETY SCREENING

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)

The GAD-7 is a brief, seven-item screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder — one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It measures the frequency and severity of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks and is widely used in primary care and behavioral health settings globally.

What it measures: Frequency and severity of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks

Time to complete: 1 – 3 minutes

Source: PHQ Screeners — Pfizer / Columbia University

Access the GAD-7

BIPOLAR DISORDER SCREENING

Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

The MDQ is a validated screening tool designed to identify symptoms consistent with bipolar disorder. It was developed by psychiatrists and researchers and is widely used in clinical and primary care settings. A positive screen suggests the possibility of a bipolar spectrum disorder and warrants further clinical evaluation.

What it measures: Symptoms consistent with bipolar disorder, including manic and hypomanic episodes

Time to complete: 5 minutes

Source: Mental Health America Screening

Access the MDQ

PTSD SCREENING

PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

The PCL-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms as defined by the DSM-5. It evaluates how much a person has been bothered by PTSD symptoms in the past month in response to a specific traumatic experience or stressful life event. It is widely used in both clinical and research settings.

What it measures: Presence and severity of PTSD symptoms across four symptom clusters

Time to complete: 5 – 10 minutes

Source: National Center for PTSD — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Access the PCL-5

ANXIETY SCREENING

Burns Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

The Burns Anxiety Inventory is a 33-item self-assessment tool developed by Dr. David D. Burns that measures the severity of anxiety symptoms across three dimensions — anxious feelings, anxious thoughts, and physical symptoms. It provides a comprehensive picture of how anxiety is manifesting across multiple dimensions of experience.

What it measures: Severity of anxiety across emotional, cognitive, and physical dimensions

Time to complete: 5 – 10 minutes

Source: Feeling Good — Dr. David D. Burns

Access the BAI

ADHD SCREENING

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS)

The ASRS is an 18-item screening tool developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization to identify symptoms of ADHD in adults. It is widely used in primary care and behavioral health settings and covers both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptom domains as defined by the DSM.

What it measures: Presence and frequency of ADHD symptoms in adults across inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive domains

Time to complete: 5 minutes

Source: World Health Organization — ASRS Screener

Access the ASRS

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

The EPDS is a 10-item screening tool specifically designed to identify depression and anxiety in women during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth. It is the most widely used and validated perinatal mental health screening tool in the world and is available in multiple languages. It covers a range of emotional experiences including guilt, anxiety, difficulty coping, and thoughts of self-harm.

What it measures: Depression, anxiety, and emotional distress during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Time to complete: 3 – 5 minutes

Source: SAMHSA — Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Access the EPDS

Suicide Risk Screening

SUICIDE RISK SCREENING

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

The C-SSRS is a clinically validated tool developed at Columbia University that assesses the presence and severity of suicidal ideation and behavior. It is widely used in clinical, research, and emergency settings and is recommended by the FDA and used by the CDC, military, and healthcare organizations worldwide. If you are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help immediately.

What it measures: Presence and severity of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior

Time to complete: 5 – 10 minutes

Source: Columbia Lighthouse Project

Access the C-SSRS

Substance Use Screening Tools

ALCOHOL USE SCREENING

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

The AUDIT is a 10-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization to identify hazardous and harmful alcohol use as well as possible alcohol dependence. It is the most widely used alcohol screening tool in the world and covers alcohol consumption, drinking behavior, and alcohol-related problems.

What it measures: Hazardous and harmful alcohol use, alcohol dependence, and related problems

Time to complete: 2 – 5 minutes

Source: World Health Organization — AUDIT

Access the AUDIT

DRUG USE SCREENING

Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10)

The DAST-10 is a 10-item screening tool that identifies the degree to which drug use — excluding alcohol and tobacco — may be problematic. It covers a range of drug use behaviors and consequences and provides a quick, validated assessment of potential drug abuse or dependence.

What it measures: Degree of problematic drug use and potential drug abuse or dependence

Time to complete: 2 – 5 minutes

Source: SAMHSA — Drug Abuse Screening Test

Access the DAST-10

ALCOHOL USE SCREENING

CAGE Questionnaire (CAGE)

The CAGE is a brief four-item screening tool for alcohol use disorder that is widely used in primary care and clinical settings. Its name is an acronym based on the four questions it asks — Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener. Despite its brevity, it has strong sensitivity for identifying alcohol dependence and problematic drinking.

What it measures: Alcohol use disorder and problematic drinking patterns

Time to complete: 1 – 2 minutes

Source: Mental Health America Screening

Access the CAGE

Your Honesty Matters

The most important thing you can bring to any screening tool is honesty — with yourself and with your responses. These tools are only as useful as the accuracy of the answers you provide. There are no right or wrong answers here. The more truthful you are about what you have actually been experiencing — however uncomfortable that truth may feel — the more clearly your results will reflect what you truly need. And the more clearly your results reflect what you truly need, the better equipped you and your clinician will be to take the right next step together.

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"Screening tool information is reviewed and updated regularly. Scholar does not host or control external screening tools and is not responsible for their content. Links are provided for informational purposes only."

What to Do With Your Results

Completing a screening tool is a meaningful first step — but it is just that. A first step. Here is how to make the most of what you discover:

✔ Share your results with a qualified clinician who can provide context, clarification, and a personalized assessment

✔ Remember that a high score does not mean something is permanently wrong — it means you deserve support and attention

✔ Remember that a low score does not mean everything is fine if you are struggling — trust what you are experiencing

✔ If you are in crisis or your results concern you significantly — please reach out for help today

Your results are a starting point — not a verdict. Scholar is here to help you understand what you are experiencing and take the next step with clarity and confidence.

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