THE FUSE

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a tool most clinicians are familiar with. It's quick, familiar, and widely trusted across health care settings. However, when a patient's results indicate high risk, they deserve more than a quick glance. It signals that they may be carrying a level of distress that affects mood, safety, functioning, and quality of life. How you respond in that moment matters. It can shape trust, determine next steps, and, in some cases, prevent serious harm.