What is a mental health screening test?
A screening test is a standardised set of questions that estimates how likely it is that you are experiencing a level of distress worth professional attention. Standardised matters: everyone answers the same questions, scored the same way, so results are comparable and repeatable rather than depending on how you happened to phrase things on a given day. Screening tools sit at the front of the care pathway. They are quick, inexpensive, and designed to sort a broad population into those who would likely benefit from support and those who are managing well for now.
What screening is not is diagnosis. A diagnosis of depression, an anxiety disorder, or any other condition can only be made by a qualified professional after a proper clinical evaluation. A screening score, however carefully constructed, is an indicator, not a verdict. Treat a concerning result as a reason to talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist, and a reassuring result as information rather than a guarantee.
How does the Stressometer work?
An online mental health screening test is a structured questionnaire that measures your current emotional state and indicates whether professional support may help. The Stressometer, developed by Dr. Vohra's Innovation Labs, asks 55 validated questions across five dimensions and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. A patented AI engine analyses your answers and generates an instant colour-coded report, with Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red bands marking rising levels of concern. The tool shows internal reliability of 0.935 on Cronbach's alpha, a standard measure that sits above the 0.90 threshold usually described as excellent, and it has been validated against the DASS, PSS, and SOS scales. Screening is not diagnosis: a Red or Orange result does not label you with a condition, it signals that a conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist is worth having.
The Stressometer was launched in 2011 and comes in two versions, one for adults and one for students, with questions matched to the realities of each group. Because it is fully digital, you can take it from anywhere with an internet connection.
What do the colour bands mean?
Your report grades your responses into four bands, each mapped to a recommended next step:
- Green: your responses fall in a manageable range. The report shares preventive tips and self-care strategies to keep it that way.
- Yellow: early signs of strain. Guided self-help is suggested, with an optional check-in with a counsellor.
- Orange: a meaningful level of distress. The recommendation is structured therapy with a psychologist.
- Red: a level of distress that warrants a psychiatric evaluation and a comprehensive treatment plan.
The bands are a starting point, not a gate. You do not need a Red result to deserve help, and you are free to book a session at any band. Equally, a Green result today says nothing about six months from now; screening is repeatable precisely so that you can track change.
Is the Stressometer scientifically validated?
Reliability and validity are the two questions to ask of any screening instrument, and the Stressometer has concrete answers to both. Its internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's alpha, is 0.935; alpha is a standard reliability statistic, and values above 0.90 are conventionally described as excellent. The tool was developed with the University of Houston and validated against three established scales: the DASS, the PSS, and the SOS. In October 2025 it received India's first granted patent for an AI-powered digital mental health screening tool.
Who is it for, and what does it cost?
The Stressometer costs Rs. 499 per assessment in India and USD 8.99 elsewhere. There is an Adult version and a Student version. Individuals take it directly on the website, while organisations deploy it at scale for employees or students; it is in use in enterprises in both the USA and India. If you want to take it now, start at the screening page.
Is this the same as the academic Stressometer (SOM) scale?
No. Research literature contains an older academic instrument sometimes referred to as the Stressometer, or SOM, which is unrelated to this tool. The Stressometer described on this page is the AI-powered digital screening tool launched in 2011 by Dr. Vohra's Innovation Labs and patented in India in 2025. If you come across the SOM scale in an academic paper, it is a different instrument with a different history; the shared name is a coincidence of terminology, not a shared lineage.
What should you do after your result?
Whatever the band, the report gives you language for a conversation you might otherwise not know how to start. If your result suggests support, online therapy with a psychologist is available across India, and psychiatric evaluation can also be done online. If you are unsure which professional fits your situation, the guide to psychiatrists versus psychologists walks through the decision. And if your answers surfaced thoughts of self-harm, do not wait for an appointment: use the crisis helplines listed at the bottom of this page straight away.