Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract Mental health literacy is increasingly recognised as a key component in promoting mental health and reducing stigma, yet comprehensive bibliometric assessments of this field remain scarce. This study aims to explore and synthesise the current state of mental health literacy research through...

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Main Authors: Shengnan Zeng, Richard Bailey, Ra’ed Ali Alkhamaiseh, Shuo Peng, Nadia Samsudin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05026-0
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author Shengnan Zeng
Richard Bailey
Ra’ed Ali Alkhamaiseh
Shuo Peng
Nadia Samsudin
author_facet Shengnan Zeng
Richard Bailey
Ra’ed Ali Alkhamaiseh
Shuo Peng
Nadia Samsudin
author_sort Shengnan Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mental health literacy is increasingly recognised as a key component in promoting mental health and reducing stigma, yet comprehensive bibliometric assessments of this field remain scarce. This study aims to explore and synthesise the current state of mental health literacy research through bibliometric analysis. Publication trends, influential authors, prolific journals, international collaboration, key terms, and indicators are examined. A systematic search was conducted using the Scopus database for literature from 2000 to 2023. Descriptive and bibliometric analyses were performed to examine the dataset. Interest in mental health literacy research has significantly increased since 2015. Jorm and Kutcher were identified as influential authors in the field. Australia and the United States demonstrated strong collaboration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and BMC Psychiatry were the most prolific journals. Key terms and indicators in mental health literacy research shifted to education and interventions, forming seven research clusters. While limited to Scopus-indexed documents, the study offers valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers. The findings provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions, educational programmes, and public health strategies to improve mental health worldwide. This is the first known study to report a bibliometric analysis of MHL using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny.
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spelling doaj-art-7631f67b5c54456c8a8add5ba980ffaf2025-08-20T03:45:48ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-07-0112111210.1057/s41599-025-05026-0Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysisShengnan Zeng0Richard Bailey1Ra’ed Ali Alkhamaiseh2Shuo Peng3Nadia Samsudin4Nanyang Normal UniversityUCSI UniversityUCSI UniversityUCSI UniversityUCSI UniversityAbstract Mental health literacy is increasingly recognised as a key component in promoting mental health and reducing stigma, yet comprehensive bibliometric assessments of this field remain scarce. This study aims to explore and synthesise the current state of mental health literacy research through bibliometric analysis. Publication trends, influential authors, prolific journals, international collaboration, key terms, and indicators are examined. A systematic search was conducted using the Scopus database for literature from 2000 to 2023. Descriptive and bibliometric analyses were performed to examine the dataset. Interest in mental health literacy research has significantly increased since 2015. Jorm and Kutcher were identified as influential authors in the field. Australia and the United States demonstrated strong collaboration. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and BMC Psychiatry were the most prolific journals. Key terms and indicators in mental health literacy research shifted to education and interventions, forming seven research clusters. While limited to Scopus-indexed documents, the study offers valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers. The findings provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions, educational programmes, and public health strategies to improve mental health worldwide. This is the first known study to report a bibliometric analysis of MHL using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05026-0
spellingShingle Shengnan Zeng
Richard Bailey
Ra’ed Ali Alkhamaiseh
Shuo Peng
Nadia Samsudin
Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
title_full Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
title_fullStr Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
title_full_unstemmed Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
title_short Mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education: a bibliometric analysis
title_sort mapping the big picture of mental health literacy in education a bibliometric analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05026-0
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