Abstract
In light of the positive correlation between university students' mental health and their social development, the research combined both social development and student participation theories with the correlation and linear regression analysis to explore the influence of voluntary service activities on university students' mental health and social development. The results show that there are differences in students' participation in voluntary activities in different grades, cadre experience, and academic achievement. All dimensions of university students' participation in voluntary service activities have a significant positive influence on university students' mental health and social development. The degree of participation, investment, interaction with other members, and achievement of expected objectives in university students' voluntary service activities have different degrees of influence on university students' ideological and moral cognition, personality development traits, and social adaptability.