K10: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale
10-item measure of non-specific psychological distress. Scores 10–50 across four bands: likely well, mild, moderate, severe. Mandatory screening tool for Australian Medicare mental health plans.
The K10 is a 10-item measure of non-specific psychological distress widely used in population surveys and clinical screening. Scores 10–50 across four severity bands. Standard screening tool in Australia, Canada, and the UK.
What is the Kessler K10?
The K10 (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) was developed by Ronald C. Kessler and colleagues at Harvard University in 1992. It measures the level of non-specific psychological distress, the global burden of anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion, rather than any specific disorder. This makes it particularly useful for population-level screening and triage.
Each of the 10 items asks how often in the past 4 weeks a person felt a symptom of distress, rated on a 5-point scale (1 = None of the time, 5 = All of the time). Total scores range from 10 to 50. The K10 is the mandatory screening tool for Australian Medicare mental health care plans and is widely used in Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.
A shorter K6 (6-item) version is available for settings requiring even more brevity. The K10 is in the public domain and free for clinical and research use.
Rate how often you felt each way in the past 4 weeks.
Educational reference only. Cannot diagnose or replace clinical evaluation.
K10 Severity Bands
Australian Department of Health cutoffs (most widely cited internationally).
Population-Level Screening in HiBoop
K10 alongside PHQ-9 and GAD-7, automated triage scoring to identify patients who need care most.
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