April 2020 Survey Data
CLICK FOR INFOGRAPHIC SPECIFIC TO COLLEGE STUDENTS
The Impact of COVID-19 on Student Mental Health
What type of diploma or degree are you currently pursuing?
| # of students | % of students | |
| Bachelor | 2,086 | 64% |
| High School | 545 | 17% |
| Master | 195 | 6% |
| Associate | 186 | 6% |
| Doctorate | 87 | 3% |
| No degree or diploma | 77 | 2% |
| GED / HS Equivalency | 36 | 1% |
| Professional | 27 | 1% |
How has COVID-19 impacted your mental health?
How has COVID-19 impacted your mental health?
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Worsened Significantly | 18% | 20% | 12% |
| Worsened | 57% | 60% | 48% |
| Unchanged | 13% | 11% | 21% |
| Improved | 10% | 9% | 17% |
| Improved significantly | 1% | 1% | 2% |
In which ways has COVID-19 impacted your life?
In which of the following additional ways, if any, has COVID-19 impacted your life? (select all that apply)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Stress or anxiety | 87% | 91% | 74% |
| Disappointment or sadness | 78% | 80% | 74% |
| Loneliness or isolation | 42% | 48% | 26% |
| Financial Setback | 42% | 48% | 26% |
| Relocation | 39% | 56% | 2% |
| Illness (myself or a loved one) | 7% | 6% | 9% |
| Loss of a loved one | 4% | 3% | 5% |
| None of the above | 4% | 2% | 8% |
What has been most stressful, if anything, for you during COVID-19 overall?
What has been most stressful, if anything, for you during COVID-19 overall? (choose one)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Having trouble focusing on studies and/or work | 38% | 42% | 27% |
| Feeling disconnected from friends and/or loved ones | 28% | 25% | 42% |
| Feeling unhappy in my living space | 10% | 11% | 10% |
| Finding joy while coping with the pandemic | 10% | 10% | 9% |
| Having your basic needs met (i.e. food, housing, job, and/or financial security) | 7% | 6% | 3% |
| Limited access to mental health services (i.e. therapy or medication) | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Other* | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| I have not experienced any stress | 2% | 1% | 3% |
* “Other” responses included:
- Relationship issues
- Transition to online learning
- Concerns about loved ones getting sick or for those who are essential workers
- Job prospects
- Uncertainty/fear for the future
- Relocation to a new environment
- Feeling physically restricted
- Disappointment from missing commencement, needing to end study broad early, or consideration of postponing college
Which self-care habits have been challenging to maintain?
Which of the following self-care habits have been challenging to maintain so far during COVID-19? (select all that apply)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Maintaining a routine | 74% | 76% | 68% |
| Getting enough physical activity | 70% | 73% | 62% |
| Staying connected with others | 59% | 63% | 55% |
| Eating well | 56% | 58% | 50% |
| Getting enough sleep | 51% | 52% | 48% |
| Managing news/social media intake | 48% | 51% | 40% |
| Self-care has not been challenging | 5% | 4% | 8% |
| Other* | 3% | 3% | 2% |
* “Other” responses include:
- Getting out of bed
- Personal hygiene
- Managing workload
- Avoiding self-medicating
- Staying hydrated
- Continuing therapy
- Getting dressed
- Hobbies
- Getting alone time
- Maintaining a positive mindset
- Taking medication
- Avoiding toxic relationships
What has been most difficult about stay-at-home orders with regard to your living space?
If applicable, what has been most difficult about the stay-at-home orders and recommendations, with regard to your current living space? (select all that apply)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Staying focused on school/work despite distractions | 81% | 85% | 71% |
| Navigating “small” annoyances/ inconveniences | 49% | 51% | 46% |
| Avoiding arguments or negativity | 46% | 49% | 44% |
| Finding privacy/quiet space | 45% | 48% | 36% |
| Feeling heard and understood by others | 35% | 36% | 30% |
| Balancing personal and social time | 33% | 37% | 28% |
| None of the above have been challenging | 4% | 3% | 7% |
| Other* | 2% | 2% | 2% |
* “Other” responses include:
- Being alone
- Lack of WiFi access
- Missing physical contact
- Grading policies
- Not being able to get medical procedures done
- Family stress
- Not being able to pay rent
- Lack of purpose
- Mental health issues
- Having to take care of family members
- Abuse
- Unemployment
With whom are you having the most interaction?
During this time, with whom are you having the most interaction? (choose one)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Parents | 50% | 53% | 50% |
| Siblings | 20% | 19% | 28% |
| Significant Others | 13% | 12% | 5% |
| Friends | 8% | 6% | 13% |
| Roommates | 4% | 5% | 1% |
| Educators | 1% | 1% | 0.2% |
| Other* | 4% | 4% | 3% |
* “Other” responses include:
- No one
- Co-workers
- Children
- Pets
- Internet friends
- Non-parent family members (grandparents, cousins, in-laws, etc.)
Thinking about the person or group you interact with most, what is the best way they can show you support?
Thinking about the person or group you interact with most right now, what would be the best way that they can show you support during COVID-19? (choose one)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Spend time with you | 33% | 31% | 44% |
| Help ease your mind of COVID-19 related stress | 18% | 19% | 16% |
| Ask how you are doing | 16% | 16% | 15% |
| Help you navigate relationship/communication challenges with others | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| Help you identify or advocate for basic needs, such as food, housing, and/or mental health services | 7% | 7% | 4% |
| Provide you an opportunity to reflect on COVID-19’s impact on your life | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Other* | 11% | 12% | 8% |
* “Other” responses included:
- Avoid distracting me, or give me alone time
- There’s nothing they can do / I don’t need anything from them
- Help with some of my responsibilities (i.e. babysitting)
- Distract me, or discuss things other than COVID-19
- Avoid nagging me
- Listen to me
- Make me laugh
What tools have you found helpful in caring for your own mental wellness?
What tools have you found helpful in caring for your own mental wellness? (select all that apply)
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Virtual face-to-face time with friends/family | 59% | 60% | 58% |
| Games/Netflix watch parties or other digital social entertaining gatherings | 56% | 55% | 65% |
| Phone calls with friends/family | 54% | 54% | 55% |
| In-person conversations with those in my household | 46% | 47% | 45% |
| Free or paid access to online yoga or other workout classes | 23% | 24% | 20% |
| Free access to meditation, mindfulness, and other apps | 20% | 21% | 14% |
| Webinars with my school/club/team | 17% | 17% | 22% |
| Live conversations with influencers or brands I follow | 7% | 6% | 10% |
| None of the above | 8% | 9% | 4% |
| Other* | 5% | 5% | 4% |
* “Other” responses included:
- Reading
- Going for a walk/run
- Hobbies
- Telehealth
- Religion
- Gaming
- Sleeping
- Art
- Binge watching
- Crying it out
- Working on goals
- Music
- Gardening/landscaping
- Playing with animals
- Journaling
- Doing homework
- Texting
Would you know where to get help for mental health for yourself or someone you know?
Hypothetically, if you or someone you know was in need of professional mental health services right away, would you know where to go?
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| Yes | 45% | 44% | 45% |
| No | 55% | 56% | 55% |
How hopeful are you about school-related goals and future job prospects?
On a scale of 1-10, how hopeful are you about achieving your school-related goals and your future job prospects (1=not at all hopeful, 10=extremely hopeful)?
| All Students | College Students | High School Students | |
| 10 (extremely hopeful) | 13% | 12% | 17% |
| 6-9 (hopeful) | 58% | 57% | 60% |
| 5 (neutral) | 11% | 11% | 9% |
| 2-4 (unhopeful) | 16% | 18% | 12% |
| 1 (not at all hopeful) | 3% | 3% | 2% |
What is important for school leadership to be thinking about for student mental health?
What do you think is most important for school leadership to be thinking about in the short term and long term for student mental health during and after the pandemic?
- Academic support
Leniency, accommodations, flexibility - Mental health resources
Increased investment in counseling and coping resources - Soft skills
Empathy, compassion, communication, understanding, validation - Provide opportunities for social connection
Replacing cancelled events/services/classes with virtual ones - Engage in long-term planning
Being prepared to help students heal and recover when they return; putting in place improved practices and protocols to more easily pivot to remote learning in case of another similar crisis
Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.