The bibliometric tool CiteSpace 6.1.R6 was used to visually analyze the 737 mental health - related literature in the CNKI database，including SCI，CSSCI，CSCD and Peking University core journals during 2020—2022 to summarize the development context of the past three years. The research showed that the core authors collaborate relatively closely while the horizontal cooperation of institutions is insufficient with few cross - regional research. Anxiety，depression and insomnia have become research hotspots. The research structure includes research methods， research objects， influencing factors and coping strategies. The development network is divided into three periods: explosive growth， dynamic development as well as refinement and sublimation. The impact of COVID - 19 on the mental health of Chinese people has not yet terminated for the past three years. Therefore，researchers should strengthen application - oriented policies on mental health and improve the construction of mental health service system for major public health events and post-pandemic psychological tracking research，therefore providing decision-making references for similar major public health emergencies in the future.