This study was conducted to determine the mental health status of selected college students of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. It utilized the COVID-19 Student stressor questionnaire to measure COVID-19 related stress, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) for anxiety and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression. The study utilized an analytical cross- sectional research design with stratified sampling for sample population. Non-purposive sampling was utilized for the recruitment of respondents. There was a total of 158 respondents. Overall, it was found that 48.7% (77 respondents) were with symptoms moderate to severe anxiety and 60.8% (96 respondents) were with symptoms of moderate to severe depression. Pearsons correlation of anxiety (p=0.000) and depression (p=0.000) with COVID-19-related stress was also noted to be positively significant. An in-depth interview was also conducted the data collated. Hence the study concludes that the shift to online learning, relationships among family and peers, the prolonged social distancing, and fear of getting infected with the vaccine has increased stress, anxiety, and depression among the college students of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Recommendations to expand this study include the evaluation of the students with a professional healthcare worker for a more accurate diagnosis, to utilize a longitudinal study design to correctly associate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and to opt for paper-based or offline methods of data collection for an accurate measure on mental health outcomes. The school administration can also facilitate a regular program on mental health assessment and monitoring for early intervention.

Keyword: COVID-19-related stress Association with anxiety and depression College students