Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of scientists

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on mental health not only in the general population but also in specific groups such as university students. For example, the prevalence of depression and anxiety increased, and sleep quality and quality of life worsened compared with prepandemic levels. Additionally, the pandemic has disrupted work schedules and affected working time among scientists. Moreover, the pandemic has had a greater impact on females and younger individuals.3 Despite the known effects on these groups, the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of scientists and researchers has received less attention. Scientists working in a competitive environment often experienced pressure even prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Furthermore, both scientists engaged in COVID-19 research and those working on other topics have been impacted by the pandemic, such as experiencing pressure to develop vaccines or having their research work hindered by the lockdown. As a result, it is imperative to assess the mental health status of this population. We conducted a short survey to examine the mental health of scientists and identify factors related to mental health in this population. The survey aimed to provide insight into the challenges faced by scientists and researchers during the pandemic and to inform the development of interventions and support for this population.