Objective To analyze the mental health level of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore its influencing factors

so as to provide a reference for universities and colleges to carry out psychological interventions in similar incidents in the future.Methods General Health Questionnaire（GHQ-20）was distributed online to college students across the country

and a total of 2 319 valid questionnaires were returned.Results The total score of GHQ-20 and scores in the dimensions of self-negation

depression

and anxiety of college students were（5.89±4.17）

（3.67±2.58）

（1.25±1.54）

and（0.97±1.54）

respectively;the positive detection rate was 64.5%.The total score of GHQ-20 as well as scores in the dimensions of depression and anxiety of college students living in rural areas during the pandemic were higher than those of urban residents（P<0.05）;college students with diagnosed or suspected cases of COVID-19 among their friends and relatives had a higher GHQ-20 total score and scores in the dimensions of depression and anxiety than other respondents（P<0.05）;college students who had learned infectious disease-related knowledge beforehand had a lower total score of GHQ-20 and scores in the dimensions of self-denial and depression（P<0.05）.College students′time to bed was positively correlated with GHQ-20 total score and that in the dimension of self-denial（P<0.05）and negatively correlated with the score in anxiety（P<0.05）

while their sleep duration was negatively correlated with GHQ-20 total score and all its dimensions（P<0.05）.The scores in college students′"degree of worry about their own infection"and"degree of fear of disease"were positively correlated with the total score of GHQ-20 and the score in each dimension（P<0.05）.Regression analysis results show that whether there are patients or suspected cases among relatives and friends（OR=1.908）

the degree of worry about their own infection（OR=1.125）

the degree of fear of COVID-19（OR=1.071）

the time to bed（OR=1.157）and sleep duration（OR=0.838）are the five main factors that affect the mental health of college students during the pandemic（P<0.05）.Conclusion The pandemic has affected the mental health of college students to a certain extent.In particular

the urban-rural effect is significant

and the lifestyle is closely related to the level of mental health.Under such circumstances

universities and colleges should carry out targeted psychological counseling and health education.