Mental Wellness of Students in China during Covid 19
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought unprecedented challenges to every individual, organization, and country. The virus has spread rapidly all over the world, causing an outbreak of acute infectious pneumonia. The epidemic has brought the risk of death from not only the viral infection but also unbearable psychological pressure to people across the globe. College students, in particular, are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by the outbreak.
The mental health of college students is an essential aspect that needs to be addressed during public health emergencies. The outbreak of COVID-19 has raised several concerns about the mental health of college students. The epidemic has significantly impactedpeople’s mental healthin China, and it is expected that the same will happen in other countries as well.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Changzhi Medical College in China aimed to evaluate the psychological condition of college students during the COVID-19 epidemic and explore factors influencing their anxiety. The study found that 24.9% of college students experienced anxiety because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Of these students, 0.9% experienced severe anxiety, and 21.3% experienced mild anxiety. College students’ anxiety about COVID-19 might have been related to the effect of the virus on their studies and future employment. On the other hand, the students’ anxiety may have been caused by the gradually increasing distances between people resulting from the quarantine.
The study used the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), one of the most widely used instruments for detecting and screening anxiety disorders. The GAD-7 takes less than 3 minutes to complete and easy to score. Today, the GAD-7 is the most widely used measure of anxiety used in clinical practice and research due to its diagnostic reliability and efficiency.
The researchers investigated and analyzed the mental health status of college students during the epidemic for the following purposes. Firstly, to evaluate the mental situation of college students during the epidemic. Secondly, to provide a theoretical basis for psychological interventions with college students. Lastly, to provide a basis for promulgating national and governmental policies.
The study suggested that worry about the economic influences of the epidemic were positively related to anxiety levelsin college students. Moreover, worry about academic delays and the influence of the epidemic on daily-life were also moderately and positively correlated with anxiety. In addition, the results suggested a negative association between social support and anxiety symptoms of college students during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of addressing the mental health of college students during public health emergencies. Colleges and universities need to develop effective methods to guide students to regulate their emotions effectively and appropriately during public health emergencies and avoid losses caused by crisis events.
Colleges and universities can take several steps to address the mental health of college students during public health emergencies. Firstly, colleges and universities need to provide students with access to mental health services. Mental health services can help students deal with the psychological impact of the epidemic. Secondly, colleges and universities need to provide students with accurate and factual information about the epidemic. Colleges and universities need to ensure that students have access to the latest information from reliable sources. Thirdly, colleges and universities need to provide students with social support. Social support can help students deal with the psychological impact of the epidemic.
In conclusion, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has brought unprecedented challenges to every individual, organization, and country. The epidemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of people worldwide, including college students. The mental health of college students needs to be addressed by colleges and universities to ensure the well-being of students. Colleges and universities need to develop effective methods to guide students to regulate their emotions effectively and appropriately during public health emergencies and avoid losses caused by crisis events.
