Digital Learning, Students' Mental Health and Role of Psychological Capital Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic in India

Abstract

The infectious COVID-19 has triggered an irremediable global health crisis and has increased the burden of stress, anxiety, and depression, the most categorized mental health problems among the general population. The present study is to understand the current status quo of digital learning in India and aims to suffice students' mental health issues attending online classes. It also intends to examine the role of psychological capital(PsyCap)in mitigating the problems of students' mental health. The present study is a qualitative in which different newspapers and pertinent studies were analyzed using a thematic research design. The findings showed that shifting to online education has gained momentum during the pandemic. Both central and state governments have launched multiple initiatives like Swayam Prabha, e-pathshala, VidyaDaan, SMILE, KITE’s Victers TV channel, and Ghar Se Padhao Abhiyan. However, the study has found different issues of online education inducing mental health problems among students. Further, it was found that the students’ PsyCap has a great potential helping students in coping with variousmental health issues. Herewith, it was convinced that developing PsyCap in students can be proven as a protective factor that helps them engage online actively and helps in reducing their mental health issues.