Mental health isn’t a “Western” concept or a “rich country” problem. It is a fundamental part of the human experience, regardless of where you live or what language you speak.
But for decades, most psychological tests were designed only for people in wealthy Western nations. They didn’t always make sense in other cultural contexts.
Enter the SRQ-20.
The Science: A Tool for the World
The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to bridge this gap.
It was designed specifically to be a “General Health Questionnaire” that works across different cultures, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. It doesn’t use complex medical jargon. Instead, it asks 20 simple “Yes/No” questions about how you are feeling and functioning.
It screens for “common mental disorders”—a mix of depression, anxiety, and somatic (physical) complaints. It is one of the most widely used screening tools in global health because it recognizes that in many cultures, mental distress shows up as physical pain (like headaches or digestion issues) just as often as sadness.
The Tool: SRQ-20
This test is straightforward and practical. It asks if you’ve had symptoms like poor appetite, shaking hands, difficulty thinking, or feelings of unhappiness in the last 30 days.
👉 Take the Test: SRQ-20 General Health Screen
What To Do With Your Score
The SRQ-20 is scored out of 20.
- The Cut-Off: Different countries use different “cut-off” points, but generally, a score of 7 or 8 is considered the threshold.
- Score < 7: You are likely within the normal range of general health.
- Score ≥ 8: This suggests you may be suffering from significant mental distress. It is a strong indicator that you might benefit from support, whether that is talking to a community health worker, a counselor, or a doctor.
Safety & Disclaimer
This tool is for educational purposes only and is not a medical diagnosis.
- Cultural Context: While this test is designed for global use, always trust your own experience. If you feel unwell, seek local medical advice regardless of your score.
- Emergency: If you have thoughts of ending your life (a specific question on this test), please seek immediate help. Call your local emergency services (e.g., 988 in the US, 14416 in India).
References
- Beusenberg, M., & Orley, J. (1994). A User’s Guide to the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). World Health Organization.
- Harpham, T., et al. (2003). The common mental disorders in urban primary care sites in low and middle income countries. Social Science & Medicine.
- Scholte, W. F., et al. (2011). Psychometric properties and longitudinal validation of the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) in a Rwandan community setting. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.