On behalf of two networks of disabled academics, we call on universities, funding bodies and conference organizers to provide more effective support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funders should include specific provisions for disabled researchers, online conferences and the ability to work from home need to continue.Disabled academics have experienced disproportionate disruption to their work. We should be granted funding extensions of at least six months to cover any loss in productivity. The requirement for medical evidence to support an extension should be dropped. Non-urgent medical appointments are hard to get -and seeing a doctor poses a risk of infection. If we are less productive during this time, it should not affect our future applications. Funders recognize that the pandemic is causing havoc for some (H. O. Witteman et al. Nature 587, 197; 2020).During the pandemic, the right to work from home, have rolling deadlines and attend remote events has been essential. We have seen that these changes can be implemented if necessary (see, for example, A. Shew Nature 581, 9; 2020). It is crucial that more changes are made as soon as possible and continue beyond the easing of lockdowns and social-distancing measures.

Background: An individual’s understanding of mental health can influence their attitudes towards those experiencing mental health problems, and also impact their response to any mental health problems they experience. However, what the lay public understand about mental health is not well explored in existing research. Aims: This study aims to gain a deeper insight into what the general public understand by the term ‘mental health problem’. Methods: Data were taken from a large-scale representative sample of adults from Great Britain ( n = 2,708). A thematic analysis was carried out on an open-text question which asked people what they understood by the term ‘mental health problem’. Results: Six themes were identified in the thematic analysis, which included understanding mental health through thinking about cause and effect, thinking about the location of mental health problems in the body, the universality and variation of mental health problems, reflections on lived experience and identifying a specific mental health problem. Conclusion: The analysis suggests that there are many diverse ways the public conceptualises mental health. The themes identified may be useful for future quantitative analyses, and also may suggest how information about mental health can be best communicated to the public.