PHQ-9

The PHQ-9 is a 9-question depression screening tool used in primary care, mental-health, and telehealth settings. Scores range from 0-27; a score of 10 or higher is the threshold for moderate-to-severe depression requiring clinical action. The tool is the depression analog to the GAD-7 for anxiety.

The PHQ-9 was validated on predominantly white cohorts. It still performs reasonably across racial groups, though Black-patient under-disclosure (driven in part by stigma and the Superwoman Schema) can mean clinical depression that the score under-captures. See Superwoman Schema.