About MindCheck Tools
Free, private mental health self-checks — built with clinical care and radical transparency.
Why we built this
Millions of people search for mental health and substance use screening tools every month. What they typically find are outdated PDFs, cluttered quiz sites harvesting email addresses, or tools buried behind institutional logins.
We believe that the first step toward getting help — honestly reflecting on how you're feeling — should not require creating an account, handing over personal data, or wading through ads placed next to crisis hotline numbers.
MindCheck Tools was created to offer a better experience: validated screening instruments presented clearly, with strong disclaimers, clinical context, and absolute privacy. Every answer you give stays in your browser. Period.
Our approach
Evidence-based tools
Our core screeners — the PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT, and AUDIT-C — are validated instruments used by clinicians worldwide. They are in the public domain or free to use without licensing fees.
Privacy by architecture
All scoring runs in client-side JavaScript. There is no server-side processing of your answers, no database, and no way for us to access your responses. This is a design choice, not just a policy.
Education, not diagnosis
Every tool includes prominent disclaimers, explains what scores can and cannot tell you, and encourages professional follow-up. We never use diagnostic labels in our results.
Responsible advertising
We keep ad density low and never place ads near crisis resources, emergency text, or acknowledgment checkboxes. Sustainability matters, but not at the cost of user trust.
What we are not
MindCheck Tools is not a healthcare provider, not a crisis service, and not a substitute for professional evaluation or treatment. Our tools are screening instruments — they help you reflect on symptoms and decide whether to seek professional help. They do not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, or provide clinical advice.
If you are in crisis or immediate danger, please contact your local emergency number, call or text 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or visit findahelpline.com for international resources.
Our tools
PHQ-9 Depression Self-Check
9 questions · Scores 0–27 · Developed by Drs. Spitzer, Williams & Kroenke · Public domain
GAD-7 Anxiety Self-Check
7 questions · Scores 0–21 · Developed by Drs. Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams & Löwe · Free to use
AUDIT Alcohol Use Screen
10 questions · Scores 0–40 · Developed by the World Health Organization · Public domain
AUDIT-C Quick Alcohol Screen
3 questions · Scores 0–12 · Derived from the WHO AUDIT · Public domain
Additional tools — including original, non-proprietary self-reflection instruments for work stress, sleep, and substance use — are in development.
For clinicians and health educators
You are welcome to share MindCheck Tools with clients, patients, and students. Our tools use the official wording of public-domain instruments with proper attribution, include mandatory disclaimer acknowledgments, and process all data client-side.
We are not affiliated with the original instrument developers, and our tools are not intended to replace clinical administration of these screeners. They are designed as a low-barrier entry point for people who are not yet in care or who want to reflect privately before a conversation with a provider.
Questions or feedback? Reach us at hello@mindchecktools.com.
Transparency
We believe in building trust through transparency. If you want to verify that our tools process data only in your browser, you are welcome to inspect the source code — all scoring logic runs in client-side JavaScript that is visible in your browser's developer tools. Our codebase is open source and available on GitHub.
Contact us
For general inquiries: hello@mindchecktools.com
For privacy concerns: privacy@mindchecktools.com
Please note: we cannot provide mental health advice, clinical recommendations, or crisis support via email. If you need immediate help, please use the crisis resources listed on our tools or call your local emergency number.