Achyuta Adhvaryu, Anant Nyshadham, and I did an experiment that asked whether the mode of information delivery affected mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. We randomized Indian migrant workers to receive Covid-19-related information through text messages, a pre-recorded audio message, or live phone calls. Phone calls increased knowledge among individuals without smartphones and reduced depression and anxiety overall. The amount of information delivered explained gains in knowledge but not improvements in mental health.

The essay is here. The associated data and code are here . The essay was peer-reviewed and was published in the Journal of Development Economics.