Mental Health, Stress Coping, and Suicidal Ideation among University Students Post-COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic and associated lockdowns have exacerbated mental health challenges among university students, particularly in India. This study aimed to assess levels of anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal ideation, and coping mechanisms in a sample of 500 university students post-lockdown, and to examine the relationships among these variables. Using self-report measures including the Stress Coping Techniques Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and the Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, results indicated low to moderate levels of mental health symptoms on average, with stress being the most prominent. Adaptive coping was predominant over maladaptive coping. Significant positive correlations were found between maladaptive coping, mental health symptoms, and suicidal ideation, while adaptive coping showed a negative association with suicidal ideation. Findings support the hypothesis that maladaptive coping increases suicide risk in distressed students. Implications for intervention and limitations are discussed.