Depression Screening Day: What Your PHQ‑9 Score Means and What to Do Next

Let’s be real — we all take quizzes online to learn something about ourselves. But what if a short quiz could actually help you understand something actually impactful, like the status of your mental health?

That’s exactly what screening tools like the PHQ‑9, GAD-7, and BADS-SF do.

What is the PHQ‑9?

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ‑9) is a 9-question self-assessment designed to help screen for depression. It asks how often you’ve experienced symptoms like low mood, fatigue, sleep issues, or feeling like a failure over the past two weeks.

It’s evidence-based, fast, and commonly used by therapists, doctors, and primary care providers — and you can take it here for free.

It’s not a diagnosis, but it is a tool — one that helps you understand what’s going on under the surface and whether it’s time to take the next step in getting support.

What Do the Scores Mean?

Each question is scored 0–3 based on how often you've experienced a symptom (from "not at all" to "nearly every day"). Once you tally it all up, you’ll land somewhere between 0 and 27. Here's a breakdown of what your score might suggest:

• 0–4: Minimal or no depressionYou’re likely not experiencing clinical depression right now, though staying aware of your emotional wellbeing is still important.

• 5–9: Mild depressionYou might notice some symptoms impacting your life, but not to the point where it’s overwhelming. This can be a good time to explore preventive tools, therapy, or lifestyle changes before things escalate.

• 10–14: Moderate depression: Your symptoms are having a real impact. This is the point where most clinicians would recommend treatment, like therapy and/or medication.

• 15–19: Moderately severe depression: At this level, symptoms are likely interfering significantly with your daily functioning. It’s important to connect with a mental health professional to develop a plan of care.

• 20–27: Severe depression: You may be feeling deeply stuck, disconnected, or hopeless. Please know that you are not alone — and this score just means it’s time to seek professional support as soon as possible. Help is available and is usually effective.

  In fact, according to the NIH, with proper treatment, like therapy, medication, or both, 80-90% of people with depression improve significantly. There's hope!

Why Depression Screenings Matter

Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, exhaustion, trouble focusing, or just… not feeling like yourself. And many people silently struggle for months — or years — without realizing what’s happening.

Depression screenings offer a reality check. They validate what you're experiencing, open up a conversation, and get you on the path to support before things spiral.

We screen for blood pressure, cholesterol, and vision. Mental health should be no different.

What Should You Do Next?

If your score is above 5, especially if you’re feeling like daily life is harder than it should be, here’s what you can do:

1. Talk to a professional.

Your PHQ‑9 score can be a great starting point with a therapist, primary care doctor, or psychiatrist. Bring your results and share what you’ve been experiencing. At TheraCorp, we take this seriously — our clinicians are trained to assess what kind of support is right for you.

2. Consider your treatment options.

Depending on your needs, your clinician might recommend:

• Outpatient therapy (like CBT, DBT, or ACT)

• Medication management

• Lifestyle interventions (like sleep, nutrition, or exercise support)

• Safety planning if suicidal thoughts are present

No two paths look the same, and your treatment should be tailored to you.

3. Don't wait for it to get worse.

You don’t have to hit rock bottom to ask for help. Early intervention is one of the best things you can do for your future self — and the people who love you.

Final Thoughts

Doing a depression screening doesn’t mean there’s something “wrong” with you. It means you’re paying attention, being proactive, and taking your emotional health seriously. And that’s something to be proud of.

If your PHQ‑9 raised a few red flags, don’t brush it off. Reach out. You’re not being dramatic, and you don’t need to figure it out alone.

If you're ready to take the next step, TheraCorp offers virtual and in-person therapy and psychiatric services across New Jersey. Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or returning after a break, our team is here to support you — with compassion, expertise, and no judgment.

📞 Call us at 732-561-8555

📧 Email us at admin@theracorpclinic.com

🌐 Learn more: theracorpclinic.com

Take the PHQ‑9 here: www.phqscreeners.com

Save or print your results and bring them to your first appointment — we’ll walk through it together.

Remember that if you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency or needs immediate assistance, please go to your local emergency room or call 9-1-1. If you are looking for immediate psychotherapeutic support, please contact the National Crisis Hotline at 9-8-8.