The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Among High School Students in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to many adverse mental health consequences from the lockdown. It caused an exacerbation of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Among the affected populations, high school students were one of the most commonly affected groups. This study is aimed to assess the psychological impact as well as the prevalence of depression and anxiety levels among high school female students during the COVID-19 outbreak in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on a total of 300 high-school female students in Medina, Saudi Arabia between April 2021 and June 2021. Data were collected via an online survey to measure depression and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaires, respectively. Result: A total of 300 students participated in this study. All the participants were female. The overall prevalence of depression among the female students was 2.2%, while anxiety was prevalent among 2.7% of the high school students. On the other hand, 10.3% of the sample had suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: A lower prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was reported among female high-school students. However, higher suicidal thoughts observed in students highlighted their need for mental healthcare by providing psychological support programs.