Frequency of Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation Among University Students Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have had negative effects on students’ mental health. However, little information is available regarding the frequencies of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation during the post-pandemic period. We aimed to compare prevalence rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among university students, before versus after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this comparative study, 4464 students were recruited during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2013-2020) and 1768 students, during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period (2022-2023). Standardized frequencies of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were compared between the two time periods. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the pandemic period (with the pre-COVID-19 period as reference) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Results Compared to participants from the pre-pandemic sample, participants from the post-pandemic sample had higher standardized rates of depressive symptoms (40.6% vs 25.6%) and suicidal ideation (29.3% vs 21.1%). With adjustment for age, gender, university campus, scholarship, and past history of depression and suicide attempt, students in the post-pandemic period experienced more depressive symptoms (aOR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.67-2.13) and suicidal ideation (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.28-1.67) compared to students in the pre-COVID-19 era. Limitations The main limitations were self-selection bias and information bias due to potential over-reporting linked to media coverage, as well as measures of past history of depression and suicide attempt across the lifespan. Conclusions These findings reveal an alarming deterioration of students’ mental health in the post-pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic era. Pending replications in others countries, these results suggest that it is crucial to continue monitoring students’ mental health, strengthening communication on this topic, and reinforcing university mental healthcare systems.