Objective To investigate the conditions of mental health of freshmen in vocational colleges in Shenzhen special economic zone so as to provide reference for targeted mental health education.Method 5 124 freshmen registered in 2014 in the Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology carried out questionnaires with Symptom Checklist（SCL-90）.Results The detection rate of positive symptoms was 19.16%;the rate of medium or higher level of psychological problems was 9.56%;their average score for anxiety factors was higher than the national college student norm

the average scores for somatization

interpersonal sensitivity

depression

hostility

paranoia and psychotic factor were lower than the national college student norm and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.01）;boys scored lower points than girls in SCL-90（P<0.01）;only children scored higher points than non-only children in SCL-90（P<0.01）;the local students scored lower points than non-local students SCL-90（P <0.01）.Conclusion In Shenzhen special economic zone

the mental health of freshmen in vocational colleges is better than the national college student norm

boys better than girls

non-only children better than only children and local ones better than non-local ones.Thus vocational colleges should have an individualized approach to the mental health education of their students.