Exploring the Impact of Gender on Mental Health Among College Students

A complex interaction of social, psychological, and intellectual stresses has made mental health among college students a critical concern. The frequency of mental health problems and coping mechanisms used by students at the University of Lucknow and Integral University, two prestigious universities in Uttar Pradesh, India, are examined in this study in relation to gender. Data were gathered from a random sample of 100 students between the ages of 18 and 30 using a cross-sectional, quantitative methodology and a structured questionnaire. To examine gender-based variations in reported psychological symptoms and behavioral reactions, descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. The results show that there are notable differences between male and female students' coping strategies and mental health. Female students reported higher rates of emotional tiredness, depression, and anxiety, with 65.4% reporting symptoms "sometimes" to "always." Male students, on the other hand, reported less, which may be a result of underreporting brought on by gender norms. Males were more likely to adopt problem-focused coping mechanisms like physical exercise or, concerningly, maladaptive behaviors like substance use, while females tended to use emotion-focused coping mechanisms like socializing and hobbies. These findings highlight the need in Indian higher education for gender-sensitive mental health interventions. Support networks that are specifically designed to take into account the different ways that men and women express their emotions and cultural norms are essential for fostering students' resilience and psychological health. The study provides localized evidence to improve academic support services and guide inclusive mental health policies.