Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of on-campus community

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of on-campus students in China, with a focus on the pre-, during, and post-pandemic periods. The pandemic has disrupted traditional college life, as students faced prolonged isolation, online learning, and limited social interaction. Drawing on mental health criteria, including self-security, emotional stability, and social connectedness, the paper explores the primary psychological issues affecting students, such as anxiety, social withdrawal, internet dependency, and stress from online education. The study highlights that while social media has helped maintain peer connections, it cannot fully substitute for in-person interactions essential to students development. Findings underscore that pandemic-related disruptions led to increased stress and a mix of fear and anticipation for offline experiences. Consequently, the study recommends enhancing both online and offline mental health support, along with improving early warning systems for psychological issues. Despite limitations related to data scope and regional disparities, this paper provides insights into the unique mental health challenges faced by students and calls for future research on the long-term effects of virtual contact on student mental well-being.