Dispelling misinformation during crises is critical to public health. But information can also induce distress. We ask whether the mode of information delivery affects 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 explains gains in knowledge but not improvements in mental health. Governments should consider broadcasts through live phone calls given their mental health benefits.

在危机期间消除错误信息对公共卫生至关重要。但是信息也可以引起痛苦。我们询问信息传递方式是否会影响 Covid-19 大流行期间的心理健康。我们将印度移民工人随机分组，让他们通过短信、预先录制的音频信息或实时电话接收与 Covid-19 相关的信息。电话增加了没有智能手机的个人的知识，并总体上减少了抑郁和焦虑。传递的信息量解释了知识的增加，但不能解释心理健康的改善。考虑到对心理健康的好处，政府应该考虑通过现场电话进行广播。