ObjectiveTo investigate the mental state of people during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019.MethodsA survey was conducted on 2 141 subjects using the anxiety and terror subscales of the 90-item symptom self-rating scale and a self-designed questionnaire by internet.ResultsThe anxiety level of the subjects in epidemic situation were slightly worse than the national average level in the normal period, and the terror level of the subjects in epidemic situation were extremely worse than the national average level in the normal period (P<0.05). The mental state of the subjects showed significant differences in gender, age, source and Wuhan contact history. There was a significant positive correlation between epidemic information and anxiety, fear and sleep status of subjects. The anxiety and fear levels of subjects with the cognitive tendency of systems thinking were significantly lower than other subjects (P<0.05).ConclusionsStress responses have emerged in the population during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, mainly caused by the epidemic events directly threatened the health and safety of life. People need timely mental support provided by public emergency management.