Mental Health, Food Insecurity, and Economic Hardship among College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The article examines the relationship between mental health, food insecurity, and economic hardship among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using survey data from 375 students at a public urban university collected in 2020, the study found that mental health symptoms, particularly anxiety and depression, significantly worsened after the pandemic onset and were strongly associated with food insecurity and multiple economic hardships, even when controlling for prepandemic conditions. The findings highlight that food insecurity and co-occurring financial struggles, such as housing and healthcare access difficulties, have substantial negative effects on students' mental health. The study underscores the need for integrated university-community services and policy interventions to address basic needs insecurity and support college students' mental well-being during and beyond the pandemic.