Free Online Mental Health Check (K10)
Take this broad mental health screening based on the K10, a widely used tool for measuring psychological distress over the last 30 days. Get immediate, confidential results in just 3 minutes.
During the last 30 days, about how often did you feel tired out for no good reason?
About the K10 Mental Health Screening
The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is a well-established screening tool developed to measure general emotional distress. It is commonly used in healthcare, research, and population mental health surveys.
The K10 is helpful when you do not yet know whether your main difficulty is anxiety, depression, stress, or a combination. Rather than focusing on one diagnosis, it gives a broad picture of how heavily your mental wellbeing has been affected over the last month.
This makes it a strong first-step screen if you want a quick check-in before deciding whether to explore more specific anxiety, depression, or stress tests.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Psychological Distress
Understanding Your Score
Your K10 score gives a broad estimate of current psychological distress. Higher scores suggest it may be useful to move from general monitoring into more specific support or assessment.
Your responses suggest low levels of psychological distress. This is a positive indicator of good mental wellbeing.
Recommended next step: Continue maintaining your current healthy habits
Your responses suggest moderate psychological distress. This is a common experience, but you may benefit from some additional support.
Recommended next step: Consider speaking with a counsellor or therapist
Your responses suggest high levels of psychological distress. Speaking with a mental health professional would be beneficial.
Recommended next step: We recommend booking an appointment with a therapist
Your responses suggest very high levels of psychological distress. It's important to seek professional support.
Recommended next step: Please reach out to a mental health professional soon
Effective Treatments and Next Steps
Find the Right Therapist
If you are not sure what kind of support you need yet, speaking with a qualified therapist is often the best first step after a high K10 result.
Browse therapistsAnxiety Counselling
If nervousness, overthinking, or panic-type symptoms stand out most strongly, anxiety-focused therapy may be the right direction.
Learn about anxiety counsellingDepression Counselling
If low mood, hopelessness, or loss of motivation are most prominent, targeted depression support may be more appropriate.
Learn about depression counsellingCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a versatile, evidence-based treatment for many forms of psychological distress and can help clarify the patterns driving your symptoms.
Learn about CBTFrequently Asked Questions About the K10 Mental Health Check
What is the K10 mental health screening test?
The K10, or Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, is a widely used screening tool that measures general psychological distress. It asks about symptoms linked to anxiety and depression over the last 30 days.
What does the K10 measure?
The K10 measures broad emotional distress rather than one specific diagnosis. It focuses on tiredness, nervousness, agitation, hopelessness, low mood, and the sense that everyday life is becoming harder to manage.
Can this mental health check diagnose a condition?
No. The K10 is a general screening tool, not a diagnostic assessment. A high score suggests it would be useful to explore symptoms further with a therapist, GP, or specialist.
Who is the K10 useful for?
The K10 is especially useful if you are not sure what is wrong but know you have not felt like yourself recently. It gives a broad picture of whether your current level of distress is low, moderate, high, or very high.
What should I do if my K10 score is high?
A high score means it would be sensible to speak with a mental health professional or GP. You may then decide whether anxiety-focused, depression-focused, or more general therapy support is the best next step.
What treatment helps with general psychological distress?
Support depends on what is driving the distress. CBT, counselling, stress-management work, and targeted treatment for anxiety or depression can all be helpful once the main pattern is clearer.
When to Seek Help
If your score is high or very high, or you feel unlike yourself most days, it is worth speaking with a therapist or GP rather than trying to push through alone.
If distress becomes overwhelming, you feel unsafe, or you are in crisis, contact NHS 111, your GP, A&E, or Samaritans on 116 123 for urgent support.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Our multilingual therapists are here to support you with personalised, evidence-based treatment that matches what you are actually experiencing.