COVID-19 AND ITS EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH: CASE STUDY FOR HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

COVID-19 is at risk of setting off global mental health crisis. The effect is also extended to the students in higher learning institutions. This research looks at the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health aspect among students from higher learning institutions in Malaysia. The study sample consists of 79 respondents who are randomly selected from various higher learning institutions. All respondents had attended online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research instrument used in this study is a questionnaire. Two things that were assessed on respondents are the situations or constraints encountered while pursuing online learning and its impact on their mental and emotional health. The research data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The research findings show that majority of respondents agreed that they encounter situations or constraints while attending online classes. Moreover, majority of respondents agreed that such situations or constraints affect their mental and emotional health. The findings of this research are supported by previous studies that reported the same thing.