Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health Status and Suicide Ideation of Iranian University Students Psychiatry Psychiatry Original Research Original Research     Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on societies globally, including significant psychological impacts. This study aims to address the research gap by examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and suicidality among Iranian university students, comparing prepandemic and pandemic data.    Methods: The data collection for this cross-national study involved 2 sections: prepandemic data from 11,515 records of new incoming students in 2019 and postpandemic data from 27,743 records of students studying in 2020. The data were merged, resulting in a total of 10,240 students for analysis. The instrument used was the "Iranian Mental Health Scale for Students (IMHS). The variables were compared before and during the pandemic using the McNemar and paired t tests. Multiple linear regression models assessed determinants of mental health, while logistic regression examined predictors of suicidal ideation during COVID-19. Risk factors and protective factors on students' mental health and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic were investigated.    Results: The mean mental health score of students during the COVID-19 pandemic was slightly higher than before the pandemic (P = 0.001). The number of suicide attempts among students decreased from 23 before the pandemic to 0 during the pandemic. However, the rate of suicidal ideation increased from 10.2% before the pandemic to 16% during the pandemic.    Conclusion: Evaluating the mental health of university students is crucial to identifying potential issues early and providing appropriate interventions. Understanding the effects of the pandemic on this vulnerable population can inform strategies for supporting their well-being during these challenging times.   COVID-19 Pandemic, Mental Health Status, Suicide Ideation, University Students 892 898 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mozhgan Taban taban.mozhgan@gmail.com 200319475328460089657 200319475328460089657 No Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehrdad Vosoghi vossoughim58@gmail.com 200319475328460089658 200319475328460089658 No Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sara Nooraeen nooraeensa@upmc.edu 200319475328460089659 200319475328460089659 No Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA Marzieh Nojomi mnojomi@gmail.com 200319475328460089660 200319475328460089660 No Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nasrin Mesbah Nasrin_mesbah@yahoo.com 200319475328460089661 200319475328460089661 No Counseling Center, Lecturer of Roodehen Azad University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Kazem Malakouti malakouti.k@iums.ac.ir 200319475328460089662 200319475328460089662 Yes Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran