The bibliometric tool CiteSpace6.1.R6 was used to visually analyze the journals, authors, institutions and keywords of 737 articles on mental health related literature in CNKI database, including SCI, CSSCI, CSCD and core journals of Peking University during 2020-2022, and summarize the development context of the past three years. The research shows that the core authors cooperate closely; The horizontal cooperation of institutions is insufficient, and the cross-regional research is few; Anxiety, depression and insomnia have become research hotspots. The research structure includes research methods, research objects, influencing factors and coping styles. The development vein is divided into three periods: explosive growth, dynamic development and refinement and sublimation. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Chinese people has not ended in the past three years. Therefore, researchers should strengthen application-oriented policies on mental health, improve the construction of mental health service system for major public health events, and strengthen post-epidemic psychological tracking research in the future, so as to provide decision-making reference for similar major public health emergencies in the future.