Check Your K10 score ranges for severity of psychological distress
|
K10 score |
Level of psychological distress |
| Less than 20 | Low – likely to be mentally well |
| Between 20 and 24 | Moderate – may have a mild mental disorder |
| Between 25 and 29 | High – likely to have a moderate mental disorder |
| Between 30 and 50 | Very High – likely to have a severe mental disorder |
Source: Kessler R. Professor of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
It is expected that 13% of the adult population will score 20 and over and about 1 in 4 patients seen in primary care will score 20 and over. This is a screening instrument and only a registered practitioner should make a clinical judgment as to whether a person needs treatment.
Scores usually decline with effective treatment. Patients whose scores remain above 24 after treatment should be reviewed and specialist referral considered.
For further information see Andrews and Slade, Aust NZ J Public Health, 2001; Kessler, Andrews et al, Psychol Medicine, 2002; Furukawa, Kessler et al, Psychol Medicine, 2002.
If you have not already undertaken the test, click here.