WHO-5 Well-Being Index — Quick Mental Health Self-Check

The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a brief, validated five-item questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization to screen for subjective psychological well-being. It focuses on positive mood, vitality, and general interest over the past two weeks.

Each item is scored 0–5, producing a raw total of 0–25 (higher is better). A raw score below 13 suggests low well-being and may warrant further evaluation for depression. Clinicians often multiply the raw score by 4 to obtain a percentage (0–100%).

No. The WHO-5 is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic test. A low score indicates possible reduced well-being and the need for further clinical assessment. Diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional following comprehensive evaluation.

You can take the WHO-5 every 1–4 weeks to track changes in your well-being. Frequent measurements help identify trends and the impact of interventions, but avoid over-checking which can increase anxiety. Use regular intervals that make sense for monitoring your mental health.

If your WHO-5 score is low (especially below 13), consider reaching out to a primary care provider, mental health professional, or trusted support person. Practical steps include improving sleep, physical activity, social connection, and using stress-management techniques. If you have thoughts of self-harm or severe distress, seek immediate help or emergency services.

The WHO-5 has been validated in multiple languages and cultural settings and is considered a reliable screening instrument for general well-being. However, interpretation should account for cultural context and individual differences; use alongside clinical judgement.

Yes. The WHO-5 is commonly used in research studies, clinical practice, and primary care to monitor subjective well-being and treatment response. For formal research or clinical use, follow appropriate ethical guidelines and obtain consent where required.