Free mental health screening in Kota Kinabalu: understanding your results
By MY Psychology KK · Published · 6 min read
Prepared with AI assistance using the sources linked below. This guide provides general information and does not replace an individual assessment or medical advice.
You may still be getting through work and family responsibilities while noticing that something feels different: less energy, more worry, disrupted sleep, or little enjoyment in the things you usually look forward to. A short online questionnaire can offer a way to check in before deciding whether to speak with someone.
If you are looking for free mental health screening in Kota Kinabalu or Penampang, MY Psychology KK offers adult self-checks for depression, anxiety and wellbeing. Understanding what each tool measures makes the result more useful and helps you plan a sensible next step.
What is a mental health screening?
A screening uses a short set of questions to look for signs that may need further attention. Some tools focus on symptoms, while others ask about positive aspects of wellbeing. A professional may use the result alongside a conversation about your health, experiences and daily life.
Screening and diagnosis serve different purposes. An online score can suggest a need for follow-up; establishing a diagnosis may involve a fuller assessment and consideration of other explanations for what you are experiencing. MedlinePlus explains how screening fits into this wider process.
PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WHO-5: which tool fits your concern?
These questionnaires look at different aspects of how you have been feeling. Choose the one that fits your concern and read its instructions before answering.
| Tool | Main focus | How to read the score |
|---|---|---|
| PHQ-9 | Nine questions about depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. | 0–27. Higher totals reflect more reported depressive symptoms. |
| GAD-7 | Seven questions about anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. | 0–21. Higher totals reflect more reported anxiety symptoms. |
| WHO-5 | Five positively worded statements about mental wellbeing over the past two weeks. | 0–100 after conversion. Higher scores indicate better self-reported wellbeing. |
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were developed and studied as brief measures of symptoms. Their original validation studies describe their use in clinical settings: PHQ-9 research and GAD-7 research.
The WHO-5 offers a different starting point by asking about positive experiences, such as feeling rested and interested in daily life. It may suit someone who wants to reflect on general wellbeing. Its five item scores are added and multiplied by four to produce the 0–100 score. Read the WHO’s description of the WHO-5.
How should you understand your result?
Check the tool and the direction of its score
A higher WHO-5 score has a different meaning from a higher PHQ-9 or GAD-7 score. The ranges also differ, so the same number on two questionnaires is not directly comparable. A score is not a percentage chance of having a condition, and a wellbeing score is not a percentage of how “healthy” a person is.
Put the number alongside everyday examples
Consider what prompted you to complete the questionnaire. Are you avoiding meetings because of worry? Finding it difficult to begin ordinary tasks? Feeling disconnected from people you care about? Write down one or two examples in your own words. These can make a first conversation more concrete than sharing a total alone.
A clinician will also want to understand when changes began, whether they are persisting, and how they affect your life. The NHS guidance on depression assessment describes why daily functioning, health history and current circumstances matter.
Use the result to choose a next step
A low symptom score does not mean you must cope alone. Equally, a raised score does not establish a diagnosis or tell you which treatment you need. If the result is concerning or confusing, bring both the score and your everyday examples to a qualified professional.
Five practical steps after an online self-check
- Note the questionnaire name and date. Keep the result somewhere private if you want to discuss it later.
- Describe what has changed. Include sleep, energy, concentration, relationships or activities that feel harder than usual.
- Choose a manageable first conversation. This might be with a trusted person, a GP, a counsellor or a clinical psychologist, depending on your concern.
- Ask a clear question. For example: “I completed this self-check because I have been struggling to concentrate. What would help us understand what is happening?”
- Discuss follow-up. If you are working with a professional, ask whether repeating the same questionnaire would be useful and when. Agree on changes in daily life that matter to you as well as any scores.
When should you seek help without waiting for a score?
Arrange professional support if changes in your mood or anxiety are persisting, getting worse, or making work, study, relationships or everyday care difficult. You do not need a particular questionnaire result before asking for help. A GP can also consider whether physical health factors need attention, especially when symptoms are new or unexplained.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek prompt professional support regardless of the total score. If you may act on those thoughts, cannot keep yourself safe, or are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. An online questionnaire or routine appointment request is not an emergency response service.
Finding mental health support in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang
At MY Psychology KK, you can begin with the free screening and wellbeing page, explore individual therapy services, or contact the team for help choosing an appropriate service. You can enquire even if you have not completed a questionnaire.
Our centre is at Hong Tong Commercial Centre in Penampang, serving people in the wider Kota Kinabalu area. Before booking, ask about the professional’s scope, preferred language, appointment format and fees. If you need a fuller evaluation, you can also read our guide to psychological assessment in Kota Kinabalu.
Frequently asked questions
Can an online screening diagnose depression or anxiety?
No. The self-checks on our website provide information that can support a professional conversation. A diagnosis requires a qualified professional to consider your symptoms, history, circumstances and other relevant information.
Which languages are available?
Our PHQ-9 and GAD-7 self-checks are offered in English, Bahasa Melayu and Chinese. The WHO-5 interactive wellbeing check is currently in English. Choose a language you understand comfortably, and ask for help if wording is unclear.
Do I need a high score before contacting someone?
No. You can seek support when something is troubling you or affecting your life, whatever the number. A result can help you explain your concern, but it is not an entry requirement for an enquiry.
Sources and further reading
- National Library of Medicine: Mental Health Screening.
- Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams (2001): The PHQ-9: Validity of a Brief Depression Severity Measure.
- Spitzer and colleagues (2006): A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The GAD-7.
- World Health Organization (2024): The WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
- NHS: Diagnosis of depression in adults.