Pandemic-Induced Online Learning and its Impact on Mental Health of High School and Tertiary Students

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020 led to schools shutting down worldwide. Indefinite lockdowns forced many educational institutions to transition to online instruction. Learning, not only in isolation but also in some form of quarantine and fear of contracting a killer disease with limited to no social activities for many students in many countries, must have been a huge undertaking. This study explored the impact of online learning in isolation on students’ mental health. Methods: A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2021 that provided full access. Initially, a search was conducted with the Google search engine using the words “mental health, Covid-19, and mental health.” This was done to explore the literature available on the subject under review. Results: The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the mental health of both tertiary and high school students. Although the sources vary, online learning has been identified as a significant contributing factor. Conclusion: As much as technology provides platforms for socialization, face-to-face interactions provide opportunities for shared moments and interactions coupled with emotional contagion. Recommendations for students’ mental wellness/care during a pandemic and remote learning are provided.

Keywords

• covid-19
• remote learning
• online learning
• mental health
• mental wellness