Objective　To explore the mental health status of overseas medical students during the COVID-19 epidemic

so as to provide references for the improvement of their mental health level. Methods Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) was applied to make a survey online among 118 overseas medical students. SPSS 19.0 was used for statistical analysis

and independent sample t test and univariate analysis were conducted between the groups. Results　The analysis showed that during the COVID-19 epidemic

the scores of SCL-90 factors of overseas medical students in China were significantly higher than those of Chinese youth norms (P<0.001). The top four scores were as follows: obsessive-compulsive symptoms > paranoia ideation > interpersonal sensitivity > depression. The positive screening rate for SCL-90 of the overseas students was 40.4%. The scores of male overseas students were significantly higher than those of female students (P<0.01). The scores of overseas students living outside China at present were significantly higher those of students living in China and on campus (P<0.001). Conclusion　The mental health status of the overseas medical students needs to be attached great importance during the COVID-19 epidemic. Targeted psychological counseling and intervention should be given to foreign students both staying outside China and those on campus.