Free self-check · about 2 minutes

Mental health check (K10)

Ten questions about how you’ve felt over the last four weeks. You’ll get your score and what it means straight away.

Your answers stay in your browser. Nothing you select here is saved or sent to us.

Question 1 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel tired out for no good reason?

Question 2 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel nervous?

Question 3 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel so nervous that nothing could calm you down?

Question 4 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel hopeless?

Question 5 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel restless or fidgety?

Question 6 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel so restless you could not sit still?

Question 7 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel depressed?

Question 8 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel that everything was an effort?

Question 9 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel so sad that nothing could cheer you up?

Question 10 of 10 · In the past 4 weeksAbout how often did you feel worthless?

About this check

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, or K10, asks how often you’ve felt things like nervous, hopeless, restless or worthless over the past four weeks. It’s quick, it’s been studied for over two decades, and it’s one of the standard questionnaires GPs use in Australia.

It measures distress, not a diagnosis. A high score tells you that you’ve been under real strain lately. It doesn’t tell you why. Stress at work, grief, poor sleep, drinking, physical illness, depression and anxiety can all raise it.

Read the full guide to the K10

The K10 is copyright © Ronald C. Kessler, PhD. Kessler RC, Barker PR, Colpe LJ, et al. Screening for serious mental illness in the general population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003;60(2):184–189. Score ranges from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Health Survey: Users’ Guide. This check is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice.

FAQ

Questions about the check

Is this a diagnosis?

No. The K10 is a screening questionnaire that measures how much psychological distress you’ve felt over the past four weeks. It can’t tell you whether you have a particular condition or what’s causing the distress. Only a health professional who assesses you can do that.

What is the K10?

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is a 10-question measure developed by Professor Ronald Kessler and colleagues. It’s widely used in Australia, including in national health surveys and by GPs as one part of a mental health assessment.

What do the scores mean?

Each answer scores from 1 (none of the time) to 5 (all of the time), so totals range from 10 to 50. A commonly used Australian guide is: 10 to 15, low distress; 16 to 21, moderate distress; 22 to 29, high distress; 30 to 50, very high distress.

Do you store my answers?

No. The check runs entirely in your browser. Your answers and score aren’t saved or sent to us. If you close or refresh the page, they’re gone.

What should I do with my score?

If your score is moderate or higher, or something is bothering you whatever your score, it’s worth talking to a GP. You can tell them your score. If you don’t feel safe, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.

Want to talk it through with a GP?

Request a mental health assessment, about an hour by video. Our team will call you to book.

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