Mental health of university students during the covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To identify the available evidence on ways of presenting psychological distress and actions to protect and promote mental health in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Integrative literature review, performed in stages: Elaboration of the guiding question; establishment of inclusion and exclusion criteria; definition of the information to be extracted; critical analysis of studies and results; presentation of the review related to the impact of the pandemic on students and mental health protection and promotion actions. Results: Among the seven articles investigated, published in 2020, emotional reactions were observed, described by stress, anxiety, grief, anger and panic, associated with concern about the delay of academic activities and fear of falling ill. Conclusion: The pandemic and its related aspects interfere in the academic life and health of students and their families, causing negative effects on their mental health.