Stress, anxiety, and depression among students and employees during the pandemic

Abstract

Psychological and social implications due to COVID-19 pandemic are particularly relevant in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The objective of this chapter is to examine and analyze the level of depression, anxiety, and stress between university students and employees at the HEI in Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19. The method used in this study is based on a narrative review of recent literature on related mental health symptoms and interventions due to the pandemic and a survey conducted on 51 students and 72 employees using the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results show that psychological well-being is crucial to overcoming COVID-19 and avoiding mental illness and emotional coping. Higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were found to be higher in adults than adolescents. The study concluded that there is a need for mental health awareness regarding COVID-19, and it is suggested that there should be an online therapy session with people who have severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.