By: SUNANDA SAHU, A. BIJAYASUNDARI DEVI
The COVID 19 pandemic disrupted daily life worldwide, impacting mental health, particularly among young children and college students, through psychological and social effects. The present study assesses the effects of the pandemic on the mental health of college students in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 students (aged 17-25 years) enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses at Dr. Harisaingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.). Data was collected online using a self-administered questionnaire developed via Google Forms due to pandemic-related restrictions. DASS-21 was used to assess the mental health (stress, depression, anxiety) of the studied population. The combined (mild to severe) prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 60%, 56.47%, and 43.52%, respectively. Psychological distress was caused by fear of infection, isolation, panic, anxiety, social burdens, financial setbacks, quarantine, and loss of loved ones. Talking with friends was the most common coping strategy. The study reveals that a significant proportion of the studied population was suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety due to the pandemic. The situation required immediate attention and expert intervention.
