Assessment and Mitigation of Mental Health among Students using Quantitative Ibm Spss Approach during Covid-19 in Public Higher Learning Institutions

Abstract

The issue of student mental health in higher education is growing. The COVID-19 pandemic has greater focus on this vulnerable group. This study aims to give a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of university students. 200 students participated in a survey by using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 screening tests to assess the state of mental health of Malaysian university students. The data was analysed using quantitative methods. The IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 27.0 assessment of mental health revealed that 44.0% of such 88 students were experiencing mild anxiety symptoms. During this COVID-19 outbreak, 74 students (37.0%) experienced mild depressive symptoms at a greater level. Significant findings, however, revealed that 25 students (12.50%) and 24 students (12.00%), respectively, suffer from severe anxiety and depressive symptoms. A significant correlation of at least r=0.147 exists between the students' level of anxiety, depression, and duration of the students staying alone or away from their families. These findings have encouraged the researcher to propose a model for mitigating mental health issues among university students for consideration by universities.