Quick answer
A free burnout test UK adults can take online asks about how you've been feeling at work and beyond, then gives you a result you can reflect on. Burnout questionnaires typically look at exhaustion, cynicism about work and feeling less effective. Mindhelpa's free and private screening is not a diagnosis, but it can give you something concrete to take to your GP or employer.
What a burnout screening actually measures
If you've been running on empty for a while, you may want to put words to what's going on. A burnout questionnaire is built to do that. Most of them look at three broad areas:
- Exhaustion. Feeling drained physically and emotionally, and not bouncing back after rest.
- Cynicism or distance. Feeling detached, negative or "what's the point?" about your job, colleagues or the people you work with.
- Reduced effectiveness. Feeling you're not achieving much, or doubting whether you're good at what you do.
These areas matter because burnout isn't the same as a tough week. It tends to build over time. Many people notice it only when someone asks the right questions.
It helps to know what burnout is and isn't. The NHS stress page is a useful starting point on stress in general. Burnout is not a medical diagnosis, so no questionnaire can "confirm" it. What a screening can do is show whether your answers match a pattern that deserves attention.
If you'd like to compare your day-to-day experience with common signs first, our guides on burnout symptoms at work in the UK and a signs of burnout self check for people who push on are good companions.
How Mindhelpa's free screening works
Mindhelpa offers free and private mental health screenings covering areas such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and burnout. You answer the questions, and you get a result you can think about in your own time.
A few things to know before you start:
- It's free and private. You can take it as a first step without committing to anything.
- It's not a diagnosis. A screening shows whether your answers suggest something is worth looking at. Only a qualified health professional can assess you properly.
- Extras are optional. If you want a fuller report or a consultation, those are available, but you don't need either to take the screening and see your result.
If you want to know more about how screenings work in general, read What Is a Mental Health Screening? A UK Adult Guide.
When you're ready, you can take the free and private mental health screening. It is not a diagnosis, and you can stop whenever you like.
What your result can and can't tell you
A result is a snapshot of how you've been feeling lately, not a label.
What it can do:
- Show whether your experience lines up with common burnout patterns.
- Give you language for things that have felt vague, like "I'm just tired all the time".
- Help you spot whether work is the main pressure or one of several.
- Act as a prompt for a conversation with your GP or employer.
What it can't do:
- Diagnose burnout, depression, anxiety or any other condition.
- Rule out a physical health cause for your tiredness.
- Tell you exactly what support you need.
If your result suggests a lot is going on, that isn't a verdict on you. It's a reason to talk to someone. If it suggests less, but you still feel run down, trust that feeling and consider speaking to your GP anyway.
Using your result with your GP or employer
You don't need a formal diagnosis to ask for support. Mind suggests writing down your symptoms and what seems to trigger them, and sharing that with your GP and employer so the support fits what you need. Your screening result can sit alongside those notes.
A checklist before you talk to anyone
- Save or note your result. Write down the main points in your own words.
- List your symptoms. Include exhaustion, sleep changes, irritability, trouble concentrating, or dreading work.
- Note when it started. Even "around the time my workload changed" is useful.
- Name your triggers. Think about workload, deadlines, unclear expectations, long hours, or feeling unsupported.
- Say what's changed. Compare how you work or cope now with how you did before.
- Decide what you want to ask for. This might be advice, a check-up, or changes at work.
- Bring someone if it helps. A friend or family member can come with you or help you rehearse.
Talking to your GP
Say that you've been struggling with work-related stress and think you may be burnt out. Share your notes and your result, and explain how it's affecting your sleep, mood and daily life. Your GP can talk through what might help and whether anything else could be contributing. If you're worried about medicines, ask your GP or pharmacist. We can't advise on those here.
Talking to your employer
You choose how much to share. Many people find it easier to focus on specifics rather than labels. For example: "My workload has been unmanageable for several months and it's affecting my health. Can we talk about what could change?" You might point to particular tasks, hours or deadlines. If you're not sure where to start, a line manager, HR or an occupational health service (if your workplace has one) are common routes.
For more on telling stress and anxiety apart, our article Am I Anxious or Stressed? may help.
Where else to get support
You have more than one route, and you don't have to go through your GP first.
- NHS Talking Therapies. You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies without a formal diagnosis. You can also discuss your result with your GP if you'd rather go that way. Check the NHS page for how to refer in your area.
- Helplines. The NHS lists mental health helplines if you'd like to talk to someone.
- Your workplace. Some employers offer wellbeing or occupational health support. It's worth asking what's available.
If you haven't yet checked in with yourself, the free and private screening from Mindhelpa takes you through the questions and gives you a result you can bring to any of these conversations. It's not a diagnosis, and you decide what to do next.
When to get urgent help
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. NHS 111 (England and Wales) or NHS 24 on 111 (Scotland) for urgent medical advice. Samaritans: call 116 123 (free, 24 hours). Text SHOUT to 85258. In Northern Ireland, contact your GP or call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free burnout test a diagnosis?
No. Burnout is not a medical diagnosis, and a screening is not a diagnosis of any kind. It can show whether your experiences fit a pattern worth discussing, but only a qualified health professional can assess you.
Do I need to see my GP before I take a burnout screening?
No. You can take Mindhelpa's free and private screening whenever you like. If your result or your symptoms worry you, speaking to your GP is a sensible next step.
Can I get help for burnout without a formal diagnosis?
Yes. You don't need a formal diagnosis to ask for support. You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or talk to your GP about your result.
Should I show my result to my employer?
That's your choice. Some people share their notes and result to explain what support they need. Others prefer to describe specific problems, like workload or hours, without sharing the result itself. Mind suggests sharing with your GP and employer can help guide support, but you decide what feels right.
Sources
- Stress – NHS
- Mental health helplines – NHS
- Workplace stress and signs – Mind
- NHS Talking Therapies – NHS
Please check the official pages for current information before you act on anything here.