WHO-5
The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is one of the shortest validated measures of subjective psychological well-being. Five positively framed items make it quick, non-stigmatizing, and useful as both an outcome and a depression screen.
What the WHO-5 measures
The WHO-5 asks how often, over the past two weeks, a person felt cheerful, calm, active, rested, and interested in daily life. Because every item is positively worded, it avoids the stigma of symptom checklists and works well as a repeated outcome measure.
Who it's for
Adults and adolescents (9+). It is used both as a well-being outcome and as a first-step screen for depression.
Scoring
Each of the five items is scored 0–5 (raw total 0–25), then multiplied by 4 to give a percentage from 0 to 100. A score of 50 or below suggests low well-being and is a common threshold to screen further for depression; a raw score under 13 (percentage ≤52) is often used to prompt a depression assessment.
Severity bands
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–28 | Poor well-being — screen for depression |
| 29–50 | Low well-being |
| 51–100 | Adequate well-being |
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Get started freeAll assessmentsFrequently asked questions
What is a good WHO-5 score?
Scores run 0–100, with higher better. A score above 50 generally reflects adequate well-being; 50 or below suggests low well-being and a reason to screen further for depression.
Can the WHO-5 screen for depression?
Yes. Although it measures well-being, a low WHO-5 score (commonly 50 or below) is widely used as a trigger to administer a fuller depression measure.
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