Mental health of university students: a social and psychological view

Abstract

Mental health problems among Brazilian university students represent a critical public health situation, especially with regard to stress and anxiety. For many, the experience of entering a higher education institution is a determining factor in their psycho-emotional and social development, affecting their entire routine and causing stress and an emotional burden that is difficult to bear, especially after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. , as noted by Maia and Dias (2020). Objective: Identify factors that affect the mental health of university students through a social and psychological perspective. Methodology: The methodology adopted for this work is based on bibliographic research of scientific articles and periodicals. Results and discussions: According to a study by Fernandes et al . (2018), it was observed that 63% of young people at a Public University developed anxiety and there are several factors that negatively influence the mental health of these students, such as social pressure and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, work, linked to the overload of academic life and the new responsibilities it brings, is one of the potential sources of stress and mental disorders (Moretti and Hübner, 2017). Fernandes et al . (2018) carried out a survey with 579 students and were able to conclude that 86% of those interviewed had depressive symptoms correlated to social indicators. Moretti and Hubner (2017) conducted their research and came to the conclusion that the education system overburdens higher education students. All the articles reviewed make it clear that the demand for a social standard to be followed and the daily overload make human beings ill. Final considerations: Considering that stress and anxiety represent significant challenges for university students, special attention to this issue is extremely important. The transition to higher education is a crucial moment for the psycho-emotional and social development of young people, worsened by the impact of the pandemic. Studies show that high levels of anxiety affect the majority of these students. Social pressure, difficulties in interpersonal relationships and the accumulation of academic and professional responsibilities are factors that contribute to this challenging scenario. Therefore, it is crucial to address these mental health issues among college students to promote a healthier environment and support the psychological well-being of this population.