Background:

The pandemic significantly changed social and academic routines of higher education students.

Objective:

Identify the mental health levels of higher education students and the associated factors.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 567 students (mean age 23.92, ± 8.36; 63.8% female), that answered an online survey at the beginning of the second lockdown, which included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), sociodemographic and academic aspects, and main changes that occurred during the pandemic.

Results:

The mean score of the GHQ was 29.18 (±12.99) and the lowest and highest scores were obtained in severe depression (3.55±4.46) and social dysfunction (11.44±3.81). 60.5% indicated risk for mental problems. Participants identifying changes at labor level had better mental health. The ones identifying changes at familiar routines had higher depressive symptomatology and changes in familiar relationships had higher anxiety symptomatology and insomnia.

Conclusion:

It is urgent to consider the mental health of students, promoting strategies to minimize the impact of the pandemic, namely in social dysfunction.

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