Psychological Impact of Covid-19 on Students of Higher Education During Second Wave in India

Introduction: People were gasping for oxygen. They were struggling to survive. Lives, economy and mental health were at stake. India was under the second wave of coronavirus pandemic and its situation was pathetic. Higher education institutions were closed for more than a year in West Bengal. In this backdrop, the present study aimed at a most timely assessment of the prevalence and magnitude of and to determine the predictors of covid-19 anxiety, psychological distress and depression in students of higher education. Materials And Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on students of higher education in West Bengal during the peak of the second wave by using standardized questionnaires. Results And Discussion: Results showed 85.09% had covid-19 anxiety, 69.30% had psychological distress and 57.46% had depression. Students differed significantly in magnitude across gender, residence, level of education, marital status, fear of infection, feeling of insecurity and helplessness, and nature of information usage.  Gender, educational level, marital status, fear of infection, helplessness and nature of information usage were found to be the predictors of mental health issues. Conclusion: In this alarming situation, students need both psychological and infra-structural supports.