IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND ONLINE EDUCATION ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS OF EDUCATIONAL SPHERE-A CASE STUDY

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), the enormously transmissible disease resulting due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent, instigated a dreadful outcome ensuing worldwide emergency with its rapid spread and greater mortality rate resulting in grievous disruptions. It arose as the greatest substantial world-wide health catastrophe ever since the period of influenza pandemic of 1918, causing more than 3.7 million deaths worldwide. The influence of this pandemic was ascertained in every arena of life on a worldwide level. COVID-19 has devastated many countries, thrashing our health care system besides having a major impact on the academic sector encompassing an enormous number of students, teachers along with staff members. With the implementation of the lock-down the offline classes were substituted for the online mode not only in India but globally. This has chiefly prompted an effect on the mental health of people apart from their physical health. Mental well-being has a vital significance and the spread of pandemic has accelerated a series of mental disorders ranging from anxiety, stress to depressive disorders. This review, based on questionnaires prepared using the perceived stress scale method compiles the response data of how COVID-19 has affected the mental health of students and members of the educational sphere. Not only this but it shows a contrast between the offline and the new tech-friendly online classes. Thus, this survey study reflects on creating a framework for the academic sector to aid in resolving and helping people manifested with mental health issues so as to lead a normal healthy lifestyle