Every day, millions of women answer "How are you?" with the same two words: "I'm fine.“

But behind those words can lie a very different reality. Discover our new program, “I’m Fine,” built in partnership with ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) to help women recognize the early signs of anxiety and depression. In the U.S., the program is brought to life with HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to women’s health.

The GAD-7 and PHQ-8 are valuable screening tools to help you better understand your mental well-being at a specific point in time and identify potential signs of anxiety and depression. However, these questionnaires cannot provide a diagnosis. Only a healthcare professional can provide a formal diagnosis through a comprehensive assessment, considering your full medical history and discussing appropriate treatment options.

You can take the self-assessments as often as you feel the need to check in on your mental health. That said, here are a few general recommendations:

• Check in periodically: It’s a good idea to assess your emotional well-being, just as you would monitor your physical health. Keep in mind that the only way to receive a comprehensive diagnosis is to speak with a healthcare professional.
• If your scores are consistently in the moderate to severe range, or if you notice a significant increase: we recommend consulting a healthcare professional. A doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist can guide you toward the appropriate next steps.

If you find yourself testing very frequently or feeling increasingly distressed: it may be a sign that you need additional support — regardless of your score. Reaching out to a professional is always the right move.

No, the GAD-7 and PHQ-8 do not cover all mental health conditions. They have been designed to screen for two common conditions – GAD-7 for anxiety and PHQ-8 for depression. While these tools are helpful for identifying symptoms of anxiety and depression, they don’t provide a full picture of your mental health. For a complete overview, you should reach out to a healthcare professional.

The “I'm Fine” program focuses on anxiety and depression because they are among the most common mental health disorders worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 5% of adults globally experience depression, and 4% experience anxiety disorder.

Beyond their individual prevalence, these two conditions are deeply interconnected. Approximately half of those experiencing anxiety disorders also suffer from depression, making them difficult to address separately. This significant overlap is precisely what makes a combined approach necessary.

Furthermore, women are disproportionately affected by both conditions — with one in three women likely to face these disorders at some point in their lifetime, at a rate twice as high as men. This striking reality further reinforced our commitment to tackling both conditions together and inspired us to dedicate ourselves to the mission of making a real difference.

It's normal to feel anxious. Anxiety is a natural human emotion, often manifesting as fear, dread, or uneasiness. It might even experience physical symptoms like sweating, a rapid heartbeat, or muscle tension. In fact, anxiety can be helpful in some situations, providing a boost of energy or helping you focus when you need it. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, overwhelming, and starts interfering with your daily life, it crosses the line into an anxiety disorder. This kind of chronic and escalating anxiety can take many forms, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, various phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and others. If you notice that these signs persist, it’s important to consider reaching out for support, as anxiety disorders are a treatable condition.

Everyone experiences low moments at times. When life gets tough, you might feel sad or discouraged, and that’s perfectly normal. However, if these feelings become overwhelming, last more than two weeks, and start interfering with everyday activities like work, school, or your social life, it might be more than just a temporary low mood. Depression can make you feel hopeless, lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, and even trigger physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, or body aches. It can also affect your sleep, appetite, and concentration. If you notice that these signs persist, it’s important to consider reaching out for support, as depression is a treatable condition.