Using meta-analysis to explore the effectiveness of painting therapy in mental health interventions for domestic college students and its important moderating variables. Through literature collection and screening, there were a total of 10 articles and 25 effect sizes. The results indicate that painting therapy has a significant intervention effect on mental health. Subgroup analysis showed that different intervention indicators, intervention time, and different intervention methods had significant moderating effects. The intervention effect of painting therapy on self-indexes is significant, but the intervention effect on emotions is not significant. The intervention effect is better when the intervention time is less than 8 weeks than when it is more than 8 weeks. In addition, the effect of comprehensive art therapy that includes painting is superior to other intervention methods. The research results provide a relatively accurate estimate of the effectiveness of painting therapy in mental health interventions for domestic college students.