AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between personality traits and mental health in athlete students. This study was a descriptive and correlation design.MethodSixty athletes students were randomly selected and responded to NEO-PIR inventory and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28). NEO assesses five personality traits: Neuroticism (N), Extroversion (E), Agreeableness (A), Openness to new experience (O) and Conscientiousness (C), and GHQ assesses four dimensions: Somatic symptoms (A), Anxiety (B), Social withdrawal (C) and Depression (D). NEO assesses five personality traits: Neuroticism, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience. The data were analyzed with Pearson correlation test.ResultsThe findings showed that there was positive significant correlation between neuroticism with somatic symptoms and depression, and negative significant correlation between extroversion, agreeableness, openness to new experience and conscientiousness with depression.ConclusionBased on findings, it is concluded that physical exercises and sport plans have positive effects on mood and affect of students, and decrease physical and mental diseases in athletes students.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.