Purpose: International students are highly vulnerable to the risk of mental health worsening before and during the pandemic (COVID-19). This study investigated international students’ mental health pre- and post-pandemic (COVID-19).
Methods: It is a longitudinal study, and data were collected online, pre-pandemic (N = 470) and during the pandemic (N = 420). Using a random sampling technique, a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure mental health, including depression and anxiety.
Results: Findings show that international students’ mental health was good in pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, international students were found to be more depressed and anxious during the pandemic. Findings also investigated that in the pre-pandemic phase, young students’ and mainly females’ mental health was worsened.
Conclusion: This study concluded that students’ mental problems are alarming, so the university should provide psychological services for the student’s mental health. Post-pandemic is leaving long-lasting psychological effects and will require further investigation.
Keywords: Covid-19, anxiety, depression, international students, mental health