research titles examples about mental health

Research Topics & Ideas: Mental Health

100+ Mental Health Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring mental health topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of mental health-related research topics and ideas.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Mental Health Topic Ideas

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance-related disorders

Research topic idea mega list

Mood Disorders

Research in mood disorders can help understand their causes and improve treatment methods. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

  • The impact of genetics on the susceptibility to depression
  • Efficacy of antidepressants vs. cognitive behavioural therapy
  • The role of gut microbiota in mood regulation
  • Cultural variations in the experience and diagnosis of bipolar disorder
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder: Environmental factors and treatment
  • The link between depression and chronic illnesses
  • Exercise as an adjunct treatment for mood disorders
  • Hormonal changes and mood swings in postpartum women
  • Stigma around mood disorders in the workplace
  • Suicidal tendencies among patients with severe mood disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Research topics in this category can potentially explore the triggers, coping mechanisms, or treatment efficacy for anxiety disorders.

  • The relationship between social media and anxiety
  • Exposure therapy effectiveness in treating phobias
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder in children: Early signs and interventions
  • The role of mindfulness in treating anxiety
  • Genetics and heritability of anxiety disorders
  • The link between anxiety disorders and heart disease
  • Anxiety prevalence in LGBTQ+ communities
  • Caffeine consumption and its impact on anxiety levels
  • The economic cost of untreated anxiety disorders
  • Virtual Reality as a treatment method for anxiety disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Within this space, your research topic could potentially aim to investigate the underlying factors and treatment possibilities for psychotic disorders.

  • Early signs and interventions in adolescent psychosis
  • Brain imaging techniques for diagnosing psychotic disorders
  • The efficacy of antipsychotic medication
  • The role of family history in psychotic disorders
  • Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of psychotic disorders
  • Co-morbidity of psychotic and mood disorders
  • The relationship between substance abuse and psychotic disorders
  • Art therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia
  • Public perception and stigma around psychotic disorders
  • Hospital vs. community-based care for psychotic disorders

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Personality Disorders

Research topics within in this area could delve into the identification, management, and social implications of personality disorders.

  • Long-term outcomes of borderline personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder and criminal behaviour
  • The role of early life experiences in developing personality disorders
  • Narcissistic personality disorder in corporate leaders
  • Gender differences in personality disorders
  • Diagnosis challenges for Cluster A personality disorders
  • Emotional intelligence and its role in treating personality disorders
  • Psychotherapy methods for treating personality disorders
  • Personality disorders in the elderly population
  • Stigma and misconceptions about personality disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Within this space, research topics could focus on the causes, symptoms, or treatment of disorders like OCD and hoarding.

  • OCD and its relationship with anxiety disorders
  • Cognitive mechanisms behind hoarding behaviour
  • Deep Brain Stimulation as a treatment for severe OCD
  • The impact of OCD on academic performance in students
  • Role of family and social networks in treating OCD
  • Alternative treatments for hoarding disorder
  • Childhood onset OCD: Diagnosis and treatment
  • OCD and religious obsessions
  • The impact of OCD on family dynamics
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Causes and treatment

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Research topics in this area could explore the triggers, symptoms, and treatments for PTSD. Here are some thought starters to get you moving.

  • PTSD in military veterans: Coping mechanisms and treatment
  • Childhood trauma and adult onset PTSD
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) efficacy
  • Role of emotional support animals in treating PTSD
  • Gender differences in PTSD occurrence and treatment
  • Effectiveness of group therapy for PTSD patients
  • PTSD and substance abuse: A dual diagnosis
  • First responders and rates of PTSD
  • Domestic violence as a cause of PTSD
  • The neurobiology of PTSD

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This category of mental health aims to better understand disorders like Autism and ADHD and their impact on day-to-day life.

  • Early diagnosis and interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADHD medication and its impact on academic performance
  • Parental coping strategies for children with neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Autism and gender: Diagnosis disparities
  • The role of diet in managing ADHD symptoms
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders in the criminal justice system
  • Genetic factors influencing Autism
  • ADHD and its relationship with sleep disorders
  • Educational adaptations for children with neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders and stigma in schools

Eating Disorders

Research topics within this space can explore the psychological, social, and biological aspects of eating disorders.

  • The role of social media in promoting eating disorders
  • Family dynamics and their impact on anorexia
  • Biological basis of binge-eating disorder
  • Treatment outcomes for bulimia nervosa
  • Eating disorders in athletes
  • Media portrayal of body image and its impact
  • Eating disorders and gender: Are men underdiagnosed?
  • Cultural variations in eating disorders
  • The relationship between obesity and eating disorders
  • Eating disorders in the LGBTQ+ community

Substance-Related Disorders

Research topics in this category can focus on addiction mechanisms, treatment options, and social implications.

  • Efficacy of rehabilitation centres for alcohol addiction
  • The role of genetics in substance abuse
  • Substance abuse and its impact on family dynamics
  • Prescription drug abuse among the elderly
  • Legalisation of marijuana and its impact on substance abuse rates
  • Alcoholism and its relationship with liver diseases
  • Opioid crisis: Causes and solutions
  • Substance abuse education in schools: Is it effective?
  • Harm reduction strategies for drug abuse
  • Co-occurring mental health disorders in substance abusers

Research topic evaluator

Choosing A Research Topic

These research topic ideas we’ve covered here serve as thought starters to help you explore different areas within mental health. They are intentionally very broad and open-ended. By engaging with the currently literature in your field of interest, you’ll be able to narrow down your focus to a specific research gap .

It’s important to consider a variety of factors when choosing a topic for your dissertation or thesis . Think about the relevance of the topic, its feasibility , and the resources available to you, including time, data, and academic guidance. Also, consider your own interest and expertise in the subject, as this will sustain you through the research process.

Always consult with your academic advisor to ensure that your chosen topic aligns with academic requirements and offers a meaningful contribution to the field. If you need help choosing a topic, consider our private coaching service.

okurut joseph

Good morning everyone. This are very patent topics for research in neuroscience. Thank you for guidance

Ygs

What if everything is important, original and intresting? as in Neuroscience. I find myself overwhelmd with tens of relveant areas and within each area many optional topics. I ask myself if importance (for example – able to treat people suffering) is more relevant than what intrest me, and on the other hand if what advance me further in my career should not also be a consideration?

MARTHA KALOMO

This information is really helpful and have learnt alot

Pepple Biteegeregha Godfrey

Phd research topics on implementation of mental health policy in Nigeria :the prospects, challenges and way forward.

Akech J. Deng

This info is indeed help for someone to formulate a dissertation topic. I have already got my path from here.

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Mental Health Dissertation Topics & Titles

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On June 10, 2024

You probably found your way here looking for mental health topics for your final year research project. Look no further, we have drafted a list of issues, and their research aims to help you when you are brainstorming for dissertation or thesis topics on mental health.

PhD-qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal or full dissertation service from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives, literature review , and the proposed research methodology to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation examples to understand how to structure your dissertation .

Also read: Psychology dissertation topics & nursing dissertation topics

List Of Trending Mental Health Research Topics & Ideas

  • The Impact of Social Media on Body Image and Self Esteem in Youngsters. 
  • How Does Loneliness Link to Depression in People Above the Age of 70
  • The Effects of Israeli-Palestinian Conflicts on the Mental Health of Children in Gaza 
  • The Impact of Posting Pictures From War on the Mental Health of Viewers
  • The Effectiveness of Excercise Programs in Managing Symptoms of Depression 
  • Role of Cultural Competency in Providing Effective Mental Healthcare for Diverse Populations
  • The Impact of Social Stigma on Help-Seeking Behaviours for Mental Health Concerns
  • The Effectiveness of Art Therapy Interventions in Managing Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd)
  • How Group Therapy Interventions Impacts Promoting Social Connection and Reducing Loneliness
  • Animal-Assisted Therapy Interventions in Reducing Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
  • Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy in Treating Eating Disorders

Latest Mental Health Dissertation Topics

Review the step-by-step guide on how to write your dissertation here .

Topic 1: An assessment of the Influence of Parents' Divorce or Separation on Adolescent Children in terms of long-term psychological impact.

Research Aim: This study aims to investigate the level of traumas experienced by the children of divorced or separated parents. The principal aim of this study is to explore the long-term psychological impacts of parents’ divorce on the life of children regardless of their gender and age in terms of mental wellbeing, academic performance, and self-worth.

Topic 2: An investigation of the impact of Trauma and Health-related quality of life on the Mental health and Self-worth of a child.

Research Aim: This study aims to assess the long-term impacts of the trauma children face in their early years of life on their overall mental health. Also, numerous studies have emphasised improving the quality of life for children who tend to experience multiple traumas and take them along in adulthood. Therefore, this study also proposed the impacts of traumatic childhood experiences on self-worth, mental health, and vitality of implementing firm intervention before the child reaches adulthood.

Topic 3: Assessing the effect of Psychological training on males suffering from Post-Surgery Anxiety in the UK.

Research Aim: Postoperative problems may occur as a result of surgical stress. This study aims to examine different approaches to control post-surgical anxiety and improve patients’ lives in the short and long term, focusing on male patients in the UK. It will also give us an understanding of how psychological training and interventions affect anxiety in male patients and help them overcome this through a systematic review.

Topic 4: Investigating the Relationship between Mental illness and Suicides- A case study of UK's Young Adults.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the relationship between mental illness and suicides and risk factors in the UK. This study will specifically focus on young adults. It will examine different mental disorders and how they have led to suicide and will analyse further studies of people who have died by suicide and find evidence of the presence or absence of mental illness.

Topic 5: Examining the behaviour of Mental Health Nurses taking care of Schizophrenia Patients in the UK.

Research Aim: Negative behaviours and discrimination have been usually reported as a reason for the inconvenience in the treatment of mentally ill or schizophrenia patients, which negatively impacts the patient’s results. Healthcare professionals’ attitudes have been regarded as being more negative than the general public, which lowers the outlook for patients suffering from mental illness. This study will examine the behaviour of mental health nurses regarding schizophrenia patients in the UK and also focus on the characteristics associated with nurses’ attitudes.

COVID-19 Mental Health Research Topics

Topic1: impacts of the coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups

Topic 2: Mental health and psychological resilience during COVID-19

Research Aim: Social distancing has made people isolated and affected their mental health. This study will highlight various measures to overcome the stress and mental health of people during coronavirus.

Topic 3: The mental health of children and families during COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will address the challenging situations faced by children and families during lockdown due to COVID-19. It will also discuss various ways to overcome the fear of disease and stay positive.

Topic 4: Mental wellbeing of patients during the Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on the measures taken by the hospital management, government, and families to ensure patients’ mental well-being, especially COVID-19 patients.

Best Mental Health Topics for Your Dissertation

Topic 1: kids and their relatives with cancer: psychological challenges.

Research Aim: In cancer diagnoses and therapies, children often don’t know what happens. Many have psychosocial problems, including rage, terror, depression, disturbing sleep, inexpiable guilt, and panic. Therefore, this study is designed to identify and treat the child and its family members’ psychological issues.

Topic 2: Hematopoietic device reaction in ophthalmology patient’s radiation therapy

Research Aim: This research is based on the analysis of hematopoietic devices’ reactions to ophthalmology radiation.

Topic 3: Psychological effects of cyberbullying Vs. physical bullying: A counter study

Research Aim: This research will focus on the effects of cyberbullying and physical bullying and their consequences on the victim’s mental health. The most significant part is the counter effects on our society’s environment and human behaviour, particularly youth.

Topic 4: Whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness.

Topic 5: Importance of communication in a relationship

Research Aim: This research aims to address the importance of communication in relationships and the communication gap consequences.

Topic 6: Eating and personality disorders

Research Aim: This research aims to focus on eating and personality disorders

Topic 7: Analysis of teaching, assessment, and evaluation of students and learning differences

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse teaching methods, assessment, and evaluation systems of students and their learning differences

Topic 8: Social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Research Aim: This research aims to study the social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Topic 9: The role of media in provoking aggression

Research Aim: This research aims to address the role of media in provoking aggression among people

Mental Health Topics for Your Dissertation For Research

Topic 1: what is the impact of social media platforms on the mental wellbeing of adults.

Research Aim: the current study aims to investigate the impact social media platforms tend to have on adults’ mental well-being with a particular focus on the United Kingdom. While many studies have been carried out to gauge the impact of social media platforms on teenagers’ mental well-being, little to no research has been performed to investigate how the health of adults might be affected by the same and how social media platforms like Facebook impact them.

Topic 2: The contemporary practical management approach to treating personality disorders

Research Aim: This research will discuss the contemporary practical management approach for treating personality disorders in mental health patients. In the previous days, much of the personality disorder treatments were based on medicines and drugs. Therefore, this research will address contemporary and practical ways to manage how personality disorders affect the mental state of the individuals who have the disease.

Topic 3: How is Prozac being used in the modern-day to treat self-diagnosed depression?

Research Aim: In the current day and age, besides people suffering from clinical depression, many teens and adults have started to suffer from self-diagnosed depression. To treat their self-diagnosed depression, individuals take Prozac through all the wrong means, which harms their mental state even more. Therefore, the current study aims to shed light on how Prozac is being used in the modern age and the adverse effects of misinformed use on patients.

Topic 4: Are women more prone to suffer from mental disorders than men: A Comparative analysis

Research Aim: There have been several arguments regarding whether women are more likely to suffer from mental disorders than men. Much of the research carried out provides evidence that women are more prone to suffer from mental disorders. This research study aims to conduct a comparative analysis to determine whether it’s more likely for men or women to suffer from mental disorders and what role biological and societal factors play in determining the trend.

Topic 5: The impact of breakups on the mental health of men?

Research Aim: Several studies have been carried out to discuss how women are affected more by a breakup than men. However, little research material is available in support of the impact the end of a relationship can have on men’s mental health. Therefore, this research study will fill out the gap in research to determine the impact of a breakup on men’s mental health and stability.

Topic 6: A theoretical analysis of the Impact of emotional attachment on mental health?

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the theories developed around emotional attachment to address how emotional attachment can harm individuals’ mental health across the globe. Several theories discuss the role that emotional attachment tends to play in the mind of a healthy being, and how emotional attachment can often negatively affect mental well-being.

Topic 7: How do social media friendships contribute to poor mental health?

Research Aim: This research idea aims to address how social media friendships and networking can often lead to a lack of self-acceptance, self-loathing, self-pity, self-comparison, and depression due to the different mindsets that are present in today’s world.

Topic 8: What role do parents play in ensuring the mental well-being of their children?

Research Aim: It is assumed that parents tend to stop playing a role in ensuring that the mental health and well-being of their children are being maintained after a certain age. Therefore, this study will aim to put forward the idea that even after the children pass the age of 18, activities and their relationship with their parents will always play a role in the way their mental health is being transformed.

Topic 9: A study on the mental health of soldiers returning from Iraq?

Research Aim: This topic idea puts forward the aim that the mental health of soldiers who return from war-struck areas is always a subject of interest, as each of the soldiers carries a mental burden. Therefore, it is vital to understand the soldiers’ mental health returning from Iraq, focusing on what causes their mental health to deteriorate during the war and suggestions of what to do or who to call if they do become unwell.

Topic 10: How the contemporary media practices in the UK are leading to mental health problems?

Research Aim: The media is known to have control and influence over people’s mindsets who are connected to it. Many of the contemporary media practices developed in the UK can negatively impact the mental well-being of individuals, which makes it necessary to analyse how they are contributing to the mental health problems among the UK population.

Topic 11: What is the impact of television advertising on the mental development of children in the UK?

Research Aim: This topic aims to address how television advertising can negatively impact children’s mental development in the United Kingdom, as it has been observed in many studies that television advertising is detrimental to the mental health of children.

Topic 12: How deteriorating mental health can have an Impact on physical health?

Research Aim: This research aims to address the side-effects of deteriorating mental health on the physical health of individuals in society, as it is believed that the majority of the physical ailments in the modern-day age are due to the deteriorating mental health of individuals. The study can address the treatments for many ailments in our society due to deteriorating mental health and well-being.

Topic 13: The relationship between unemployment and mental health

Research Aim: How unemployment relates to concepts, such as a declining economy or lack of social skills and education, has been frequently explored by many researchers in the past. However, not many have discussed the relationship between unemployment and the mental health of unemployed individuals. Therefore, this topic will help address the problems faced by individuals due to unemployment because of the mental blocks they are likely to develop and experience. In the future, it will lead to fewer people being depressed due to unemployment when further research is carried out.

Topic 14: The mental health problems of prisoners in the United Kingdom

Research Aim: While prisoners across the globe are criticised and studied for the negativity that goes on in their mindsets, one would rarely research the mental health problems they tend to develop when they become prisoners for committing any crime. It is often assumed that it is the life inside the prison walls that impacts the prisoners’ mental health in a way that leads to them committing more crimes. Therefore, this research topic has been developed to study prison’s impact on prisoners’ mental well-being in the United Kingdom to eventually decrease the number of crimes that occur due to the negative environment inside the prisons.

Topic 15: Mental well-being of industry workers in China

Research Aim: While many research studies have been carried out regarding the conditions that the workers in China tend to be exposed to, there is very little supporting evidence regarding the impact such working conditions have on the mindset and mental health of the workers. Therefore, this study aims to address the challenges faced by industry workers in China and the impact that such challenges can have on their mental well-being.

Topic 16: Is the provision of mental health care services in the United Kingdom effective?

Research Aim: Many people have made different assumptions regarding the mental health care services provided across the globe. However, it seems that little to no research has been carried out regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of mental health care services in the United Kingdom. Therefore, this study aims to put forward research into the mental health care services provided in well-developed countries like the United Kingdom to gauge the awareness and importance of mental health in the region.

Topic 17: What are the mental health problems that minorities in the United Kingdom face?

Research Aim: It is believed that minorities in the United Kingdom are likely to experience physical abuse, and societal abuse and are often exposed to discrimination and unfair acts at the workplace and in their social circle. The study investigates the range of mental problems faced by minorities in the UK, which need to be addressed to have equality, diversity, and harmony.

Topic 18: The impact the Coronavirus has had on the mental health of the Chinese people

Research Aim: The spread of the deadly Coronavirus has led to many deaths in the region of China, and many of those who have been suspected of the virus are being put in isolation and quarantine. Such conditions tend to hurt the mental health of those who have suffered from the disease and those who have watched people suffer from it. Therefore, the current study aims to address how the Coronavirus has impacted the mental health of the Chinese people.

Topic 19: How to create change in mental health organisations in China?

Research Aim: Research suggests little awareness about mental health in many Asian countries. As mental health problems are on the rise across the globe, it is necessary to change mental health organisations. Therefore, the study aims to discuss how to create change in mental health organisations in the Asian region using China’s example.

Topic 20: Addressing the mental health concerns of the Syrian refugees in the UK

Research Aim: This research project would address the concerns in terms of the refugees’ mental health and well-being, using an example of the Syrian refugees who had been allowed entry into the United Kingdom. This idea aims to put forward the negative effects that migration can have on refugees and how further research is required to combat such issues not just in the United Kingdom but worldwide.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

Important Notes:

As a mental health student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing mental health theories – i.e., to add value and interest in the topic of your research.

Mental health is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  project management , engineering management , healthcare , finance and accounting , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , project management , and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best mental health dissertation topics that fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalising your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample mental health dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure Your Mental Health Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgements
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic, and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References : This should be completed following your University’s requirements
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find mental health dissertation topics.

To find mental health dissertation topics:

  • Research recent mental health issues.
  • Examine gaps in existing literature.
  • Consider diverse populations or perspectives.
  • Explore treatment approaches or therapies.
  • Look into stigma and societal factors.
  • Select a topic that resonates with you for in-depth study.

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Go through some of the dissertation topics related to entrepreneurship given below, with their research aim, and get an idea to begin your dissertation.

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150+ Trending Mental Health Research Topics For Students (2023)

Mental Health Research Topics

Mental health is an important part of our well-being, encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social health. In the United States, the importance of addressing mental health has gained recognition, with growing concerns about stress, anxiety, and depression. 

In this blog, we will guide you the meaning of mental health research topics with our 5 useful tips. Moreover, we give you a list of 150+ Mental Health Research Topics in 2023, including qualitative, interesting, and even controversial ones, you’ll find options that suit your interests. From the impact of social media to the intersection of Mental Health with political science and music therapy, we’ve got you covered. 

Stay tuned for more on mental health research topics, and do not forget our bonus tips for selecting the best topics.

What Is Mental Health?

Table of Contents

Mental health is about how we feel and think inside our minds. It’s like taking care of our thoughts and emotions, just like we take care of our bodies. When our mental health is good, we usually feel happy and calm and can handle life’s challenges. But when our mental health is not so good, we might feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed.

What Are Mental Health Research Topics? 

Mental health research topics are subjects that scientists and experts study to learn more about our thoughts and emotions. These topics include things like understanding what causes mental health problems, finding better ways to help people who are struggling, and figuring out how to prevent these issues from happening. Researchers also examine how different treatments, like therapy or medication, can help improve mental health.

These research topics are important because they help us learn more about our minds and how to keep them healthy. By studying these topics, scientists can discover new ways to support people who are facing mental health challenges, making it easier for everyone to lead happier and more balanced lives.

5 Useful Tips For Choosing Mental Health Research Topics

Here are some useful tips for choosing mental health research topics: 

1. Your research will be more focused and impactful.

2. You will be more likely to find funding and support.

3. You will be more likely to publish your research in peer-reviewed journals.

4. You will be more likely to make a huge contribution to the field of mental health research.

5. You will be more likely to enjoy your research experience.

Choosing the right mental health research topic is essential for success. By following the tips above, you can choose a topic that is focused, impactful, and relevant to your interests and expertise.

150+ Mental Health Research Topics In 2023

In this section, we will explore 150+ mental health research topics on different categories: 

Mental Health Research Topics For College Students

College students often face unique mental health challenges. Here are 15 research topics for studying mental health in this demographic:

  • The impact of academic stress on college students’ mental health.
  • Exploring the relationship between sleep patterns and mental well-being among college students.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of campus mental health services.
  • Investigating the prevalence of substance abuse and its effects on mental health in college students.
  • The role of peer support groups in reducing anxiety and depression among college students.
  • Examining the influence of social media usage on the mental health of college students.
  • The correlation between mental stress and financial stress issues in college students.
  • The value of practicing mindfulness and meditation for college students’ mental health.
  • Getting a better idea of how different cultures affect college students’ mental health.
  • Trying to figure out how mental health and physical movement affect college students.
  •  Investigating the stigma surrounding mental health issues in college environments.
  •  Analyzing the role of academic pressure in the onset of eating disorders among college students.
  •  The effectiveness of online mental health resources and apps for college students.
  •  Examining the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ college students.
  •  The impact of COVID-19 and remote learning on the mental health of college students.

Mental Health Research Topics For High School Students

High school students also encounter unique mental health concerns. Here are 15 research topics for studying mental health in this age group:

  •  The effects of academic pressure on the mental health of high school students.
  •  Investigating the role of family dynamics in the emotional well-being of high school students.
  •  Analyzing the impact of bullying and cyberbullying on the mental health of teenagers.
  •  The relationship between social media use and body image issues in high school students.
  •  Examining the effectiveness of mental health education programs in high schools.
  •  Investigating the prevalence of self-harm and suicidal ideation among high school students.
  •  Analyzing the influence of peer relationships on the mental health of adolescents.
  •  The role of extracurricular activities in promoting positive mental health in high school students.
  •  Exploring the effects of substances abuse on the mental well-being of teenagers.
  •  Investigating the stigma surrounding mental health issues in high schools.
  •  The effects of COVID-19 and remote learning on the mental health of high school students.
  •  Examining the mental health challenges faced by immigrant and refugee high school students.
  •  Analyzing the relationship between sleep patterns and mental health in adolescents.
  •  The effectiveness of art and creative therapies in treating mental health issues in high school students.
  •  Investigating the role of teachers and school counselors in supporting students’ mental health.

Mental Health Research Topics For Nursing Students

Nursing students play a vital role in mental health care. Here are 15 research topics relevant to nursing students:

  •  The impact of nursing education on students’ mental health.
  •  Investigating the effectiveness of therapeutic communication in psychiatric nursing.
  •  Analyzing the role of psychiatric medications in mental health treatment.
  •  The importance of self-care practices for nursing students’ mental well-being.
  •  Exploring the challenges faced by nursing students in caring for patients with severe mental illness.
  •  Investigating the influence of nursing curricula on reducing mental health stigma.
  •  Analyzing the role of clinical placements in preparing nursing students for mental health nursing.
  •  The effects of peer support programs on nursing students’ mental health.
  •  Examining the prevalence of burnout and stress among nursing students.
  • The importance of cultural skills in nursing care for different mental health patients.
  •  Investigating the impact of technology and telehealth on mental health nursing practices.
  •  Analyzing the ethical dilemmas faced by nursing students in mental health care.
  •  Exploring the use of simulation training in psychiatric nursing education.
  •  The effectiveness of mindfulness and stress management programs for nursing students.
  •  Finding out what nursing students think about the healing model in mental health care is the goal of this study.

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Psychology Culture, And Mental Health Research Topics

Psychology and culture intersect in complex ways. Here are 15 research topics in this area:

  •  Cross-cultural variations in the manifestation of mental disorders.
  •  The influence of cultural beliefs on help-seeking behaviors for mental health issues.
  •  Analyzing cultural factors in the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
  • The effect of acculturation on the mental health of newcomers.
  •  Exploring cultural stigma surrounding mental illness in different societies.
  •  Investigating the role of traditional healing practices in mental health care.
  •  Cross-cultural perspectives on the concept of resilience in mental health.
  •  Analyzing cultural variations in the experience of anxiety disorders.
  •  The role of cultural competence in psychotherapy and counseling.
  •  Exploring indigenous perspectives on mental health and well-being.
  •  The impact of globalization on cultural attitudes toward mental health.
  •  Investigating the influence of religion and spirituality on mental health outcomes.
  •  Analyzing cultural differences in the perception and treatment of eating disorders.
  •  The role of cultural identity in coping with trauma and adversity.
  •  Cross-cultural perspectives on the use of psychotropic medications in mental health treatment.

Community Mental Health Research Topics

Community mental health research is crucial for improving public well-being. Here are 15 research topics in this field:

  •  Evaluating the effectiveness of community-based mental health programs.
  •  Investigating the role of peer support networks in community mental health.
  •  Analyzing the impact of housing instability on mental health in urban communities.
  •  Why early intervention programs are so important for avoiding serious mental illness.
  •  Exploring the use of telemedicine in delivering mental health services to underserved communities.
  •  Investigating the integration of mental health care into primary care settings.
  •  Analyzing the effectiveness of crisis intervention teams in community policing.
  •  The role of community art and creative programs in promoting mental well-being.
  •  Examining the mental health challenges faced by homeless populations.
  •  The impact of community outreach and education on reducing mental health stigma.
  •  Investigating the use of community gardens and green spaces for improving mental health.
  •  Analyzing the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and mental health disparities.
  •  Exploring the role of community leaders and advocates in mental health policy.
  •  The effectiveness of community-based substance abuse treatment programs.
  •  Finding out what part social determinants of health play in the mental health of a community.

Global Mental Health Research Topics

Mental health is a global issue with unique challenges. Here are 15 research topics in global mental health:

  •  Analyzing the burden of mental illness on global public health.
  •  Investigating the cultural variations in mental health stigma worldwide.
  •   The impact of arms conflict and displacement on mental well-being.
  •  Exploring the use of teletherapy for improving access to mental health care in low-resource settings.
  •  Analyzing the role of traditional healers in global mental health care.
  •  Investigating the mental health challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
  •  The effectiveness of international mental health aid and interventions.
  •  Examining the mental health implications of weather change and natural disasters.
  •  Analyzing the global prevalence and treatment of common mental disorders.
  •  Exploring the intersection of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS) and mental health.
  •  Mental Health in Urban Environments: Analyzing the unique challenges faced by individuals living in densely populated urban areas.
  •  Mental Health and Digital Technology: Exploring the impact of digital technology on mental well-being across cultures and age groups.
  •  Mental Health in Indigenous Communities: Investigating mental health disparities among indigenous populations and the role of cultural preservation.
  •  Mental Health in the Workplace: Examining workplace-related stressors and policies to support employees’ mental well-being globally.
  •  Youth Mental Health: Studying mental health challenges among children and adolescents, considering factors like education and family dynamics.

Qualitative Mental Health Research Topics

Qualitative research in mental health can provide rich insights into individuals’ experiences and perceptions. Here are 15 qualitative research topics in mental health:

  •  Exploring the lived experiences of individuals with schizophrenia.
  •  Qualitative analysis of the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
  •  Understanding the coping mechanisms of parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
  •  Investigating the narratives of individuals recovering from addiction.
  •  Analyzing the cultural perceptions of depression and its treatment.
  •  Examining the subjective experiences of caregivers of dementia patients.
  •  Discussing the role of spirituality in the recovery process for people with mental illness.
  •  Qualitative assessment of the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on stress reduction.
  •  Investigating the narratives of survivors of suicide attempts.
  •  Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in mental health care.
  •  Analyzing the perceptions of veterans regarding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment.
  •  Exploring the subjective experiences of individuals with eating disorders.
  •  Qualitative assessment of the role of peer support groups in recovery from substance abuse.
  • Investigating the stigma and barriers faced by individuals with bipolar disorder.
  • Understanding the cultural variations in perceptions of anxiety disorders.

Interesting Mental Health Research Topics

Fascinating mental health topics can engage researchers and readers alike. Here are 15 intriguing research topics in mental health:

  • The impact of virtual reality therapy on anxiety and phobias.
  • Investigating the connection between creativity and mental well-being.
  • Analyzing the role of pet therapy in reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Exploring the effects of nature and green spaces on mental health.
  • The relationship between personality types (e.g., introversion, extroversion) and mental health outcomes.
  • Investigating the benefits of laughter therapy on mood and stress.
  • Analyzing the effects of lucid dreaming on nightmares and trauma.
  • Exploring the mental health benefits of volunteering and altruism.
  • The impact of time-restricted eating on mood and cognitive function.
  • Investigating the use of virtual support groups for individuals with social anxiety.
  • Analyzing the relationship between music and memory in Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Exploring the mental health effects of color psychology and interior design.
  • The role of adventure therapy in enhancing self-esteem and resilience.
  • Investigating the influence of childhood hobbies on adult mental well-being.
  • Analyzing the connection between humor and emotional intelligence in mental health promotion.

Social Media On Mental Health Research Topics

Social media’s impact on mental health is a timely and relevant research area. Here are 15 research topics on this subject:

  • Analyzing the relationship between social media use and feelings of loneliness.
  • Investigating the effects of cyberbullying on adolescent mental health.
  • The influence of social media comparison on body image dissatisfaction.
  • Exploring the role of social media in the dissemination of mental health information.
  • Analyzing the impact of social media detoxes on well-being.
  • Investigating the link between excessive screen time and sleep disturbances.
  • The effects of online support communities on mental health recovery.
  • Exploring the role of influencer culture in shaping mental health perceptions.
  • Analyzing the relationship between social media activism and mental well-being.
  • Investigating the impact of “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) on anxiety levels.
  • The role of social media in spreading wrong information about mental health.
  • Exploring the effects of targeted advertising on mental health outcomes.
  • Analyzing the relationship between online gaming and addictive behaviors.
  • Investigating the influence of social media on political polarization and mental health.
  • The role of social media in fostering a sense of community among marginalized groups with mental health issues.

Cool Mental Health Research Topics

Cool mental health topics can pique interest and lead to innovative research. Here are some cool research topics in mental health:

  • Investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances for mental health treatment.
  • Analyzing the impact of virtual reality gaming on managing stress and anxiety.
  • Exploring the use of artificial intelligence and chatbots in mental health counseling.
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness apps and wearable devices in promoting mental well-being.
  • Investigating the role of gut microbiota in mood and mental health.
  • Analyzing the use of neurofeedback technology for improving attention and focus in ADHD.
  • Exploring the benefits of equine-assisted therapy for individuals with PTSD .
  • The potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for treating depression.
  • Investigating the use of art therapy and virtual art galleries for mental health support.
  • Analyzing the impact of music and sound therapy on sleep quality and anxiety.
  • Exploring the use of scent and aroma therapy in mood regulation.
  • The role of biofeedback and wearable sensors in managing panic disorders.
  • Investigating the mental health benefits of urban gardening and green rooftops.
  • Analyzing the use of brain-computer interfaces in enhancing emotional regulation.
  • Exploring the connection between outdoor adventure activities and resilience in mental health recovery.

research titles examples about mental health


1. Choose a research topic according to your interest ,expertise, and career goals.
2. Make sure the topic is feasible and can be completed within the given time and resources.
3. Choose a topic that will make a meaningful contribution to the mental health field.
4. Consider the ethical implications of your research and ensure that it protects the rights and well-being of 5. participants.
5. Select a topic that is original and innovative and not simply a rehash of existing research.

Understanding what mental health is and exploring various mental health research topics is crucial in addressing the challenges individuals face today. Choosing the right topic involves considering your audience and interests, as highlighted in our five tips. With 150+ mental health research topics for 2023, we have provided options for college, high school, and nursing students and those interested in psychology, culture, and global perspectives. 

Moreover, qualitative and intriguing topics offer diverse avenues for exploration while acknowledging the impact of social media on mental health is essential. Remember our bonus tips when selecting your mental health research topic – prioritize relevance and impact to make a meaningful contribution to this vital field.

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60 popular mental health research paper topics.

Mental Health Research Paper Topics

The best way to write a good mental health research paper is to select a topic that you will enjoy working on. If you are looking for some interesting mental health research paper topics to work on, here is a list of 60 ideas to choose from.

Perfect for students as well as experts these topics have ample scope to experiment, share ideas and arguments on, and find substantial evidence to support your view. Take a look –

Mental Health Topics for Research Paper

When you are writing a paper for a graded assignment, it is important to have some great research paper topics about mental health to pick from. Here are some to consider –

  • Mental traumas from physical injuries and how to help recover
  • Resilience building – why is it important for children?
  • Friendships in men and how they contribute to mental health?
  • The role of parenting in building good mental health in children
  • What is normal emotional health and mental functioning?
  • Anti-depressants and their side effects.
  • Indicators suggesting medication for depression can be stopped
  • Effects of colors on mental health
  • How and why does lack of sleep effect emotional mental health?
  • Effect of exercise on a patient’s mental health
  • Effective methods to boost brain health and emotional quotient as we age
  • Mental health developmental stages in children from birth to 5 years of age
  • Why is play important for mental health in children
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – what causes it and how to manage?
  • ADHD — how to identify if someone has it?

Critical Analysis Research Paper Topics in Mental Health

For psychology students looking for effective research paper topics mental health offers many arenas for critical analysis. Here are some good topics to pick from –

  • Relevance of Freud in modern day psychiatry
  • Abortion care – the ethics and the procedures to facilitate emotional wellbeing
  • Are women facing more mental health issues than men?
  • Suicide – The reasons, trauma, and dealing with it
  • How does peer pressure change mental wellness and how to deal with it?
  • Effect of child abuse on toddlers’ mental health and resilience
  • Does Obesity affect mental health?
  • Is the damage on mental health caused by sexual abuse permanent?
  • Hormonal imbalances and their effect on women’s mental health
  • How to identify signs of mental illness in a loved one?

Music Therapy Research Paper Topics Mental Health

Music plays a significant role in enhancing mental health. Here are some mental health research paper topics on the role of music therapy in the field of mental health and treatments:

  • Music therapy a complimentary approach to biomedicine
  • Does music therapy facilitate enhanced healing?
  • Efficacy of music therapy for older adults
  • The role of music therapy in rehabilitation of mental health patients
  • Music based interventions and the effects of music therapy
  • Eating disorders and can music therapy help?
  • Can music therapy help with mental health during menopause?
  • Music therapy and its role in PTSD

Mental Health Nursing Research Paper Topics

If you are a nursing student you will certainly find these research paper topics for mental health useful for your assignment –

  • Psychiatric care in adult patients of mental health disorders
  • Non-chemical practices in bipolar disorder
  • Mental health care for patients dealing with alcohol addiction
  • Managing PTSD in armed forces veterans
  • Ethics to deal with psychiatric patients
  • Postpartum depression and how to identify and assist in early stages
  • Identifying the signs and managing patients with eating disorder
  • Mental illnesses common in soldiers returning from war
  • Signs of mental illness that must never be ignored
  • How to manage self-destructive mental health patients?

Controversial Research Paper Topics About Mental Health

Some mental health topics are controversial, but also well scoring if handled well. Take a look at some such topics worth considering –

  • Do natural alternatives to anti-depressants work?
  • Extreme postpartum depression leading to child harming tendencies
  • Infertility and its effects on mental health of the couple
  • Are more women suicidal than men?
  • Effect of teen relationship problems on mental health
  • The relationship between mental health and child abusers
  • Physical abuse in marriage and its effect on mental health
  • Rape and managing the emotional scars for effective healing
  • Self-destructive tendencies in children – causes and cures
  • Is it possible that there are people without conscience?
  • Are video games making children violent and aggressive?
  • Should criminals facing trial be subjected to genetic testing for impulse control?
  • Mental health in teenagers and why they cut themselves
  • Phobias – some of the most common and unusual fears people have
  • Divorce and how it affects the mental health of children
  • Is mental illness genetic
  • Does discovery of being adopted affect mental health of a child?

If you are a college student wondering what is the best way to write a research paper or how to write an effective submission that will get you good grades, you can get in touch with us for writing help. Our team offers fast and cheap assistance with writing papers that are appropriate for your level of education.

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207 Mental Health Research Topics For Top Students

Mental Health Research Topics

College and university students pursuing psychology studies must write research papers on mental health in their studies. It is not always an exciting moment for the students since getting quality mental health topics is tedious. However, this article presents expert ideas and writing tips for students in this field. Enjoy!

What Is Mental Health?

It is an integral component of health that deals with the feeling of well-being when one realizes his or her abilities, cope with the pressures of life, and productively work. Mental health also incorporates how humans interact with each other, emote, or think. It is a vital concern of any human life that cannot be neglected.

How To Write Mental Health Research Topics

One should approach the subject of mental health with utmost preciseness. If handled carelessly, cases such as depression, suicide or low self-esteem may occur. That is why students are advised to carefully choose mental health research paper topics for their paper with the mind reader.

To get mental health topics for research paper, you can use the following sources:

  • The WHO website
  • Websites of renowned psychology clinics
  • News reports and headlines.

However, we have a list of writing ideas that you can use for your inspiration. Check them out!

Top Mental Disorders Research Topics

  • Is the psychological treatment of mental disorders working for all?
  • How do substance-use disorders impede the healing process?
  • Discuss the effectiveness of the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP)
  • Are non-specialists in mental health able to manage severe mental disorders?
  • The role of the WHO in curbing and treating mental disorders globally
  • The contribution of coronavirus pandemic to mental disorders
  • How does television contribute to mental disorders among teens?
  • Does religion play a part in propagating mental disorders?
  • How does peer pressure contribute to mental disorders among teens?
  • The role of the guidance and counselling departments in helping victims of mental disorders
  • How to develop integrated and responsive mental health to such disorders
  • Discuss various strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health
  • The role of information systems in mental disorders

Mental Illness Research Questions

  • The role of antidepressant medicines in treating mental illnesses
  • How taxation of alcoholic beverages and their restriction can help in curbing mental illnesses
  • The impact of mental illnesses on the economic development of a country
  • Efficient and cost-effective ways of treating mental illnesses
  • Early childhood interventions to prevent future mental illnesses
  • Why children from single-parent families are prone to mental illnesses
  • Do opportunities for early learning have a role in curbing mental diseases?
  • Life skills programmes that everyone should embrace to fight mental illnesses
  • The role of nutrition and diet in causing mental illness
  • How socio-economic empowerment of women can help promote mental health
  • Practical social support for elderly populations to prevent mental illnesses
  • How to help vulnerable groups against mental illnesses
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health promotional activities in schools

Hot Mental Health Topics For Research

  • Do stress prevention programmes on TV work?
  • The role of anti-discrimination laws and campaigns in promoting mental health
  • Discuss specific psychological and personality factors leading to mental disorders
  • How can biological factors lead to mental problems?
  • How stressful work conditions can stir up mental health disorders
  • Is physical ill-health a pivotal contributor to mental disorders today?
  • Why sexual violence has led many to depression and suicide
  • The role of life experiences in mental illnesses: A case of trauma
  • How family history can lead to mental health problems
  • Can people with mental health problems recover entirely?
  • Why sleeping too much or minor can be an indicator of mental disorders.
  • Why do people with mental health problems pull away from others?
  • Discuss confusion as a sign of mental disorders

Research Topics For Mental Health Counseling

  • Counselling strategies that help victims cope with the stresses of life
  • Is getting professional counselling help becoming too expensive?
  • Mental health counselling for bipolar disorders
  • How psychological counselling affects victims of mental health disorders
  • What issues are students free to share with their guiding and counselling masters?
  • Why are relationship issues the most prevalent among teenagers?
  • Does counselling help in the case of obsessive-compulsive disorders?
  • Is counselling a cure to mental health problems?
  • Why talking therapies are the most effective in dealing with mental disorders
  • How does talking about your experiences help in dealing with the problem?
  • Why most victims approach their counsellors feeling apprehensive and nervous
  • How to make a patient feel comfortable during a counselling session
  • Why counsellors should not push patients to talk about stuff they aren’t ready to share

Mental Health Law Research Topics

  • Discuss the effectiveness of the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Does the Capacity to Consent to Treatment law push patients to the wall?
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health courts
  • Does forcible medication lead to severe mental health problems?
  • Discuss the institutionalization of mental health facilities
  • Analyze the Consent to Clinical Research using mentally ill patients
  • What rights do mentally sick patients have? Are they effective?
  • Critically analyze proxy decision making for mental disorders
  • Why some Psychiatric Advance directives are punitive
  • Discuss the therapeutic jurisprudence of mental disorders
  • How effective is legal guardianship in the case of mental disorders?
  • Discuss psychology laws & licensing boards in the United States
  • Evaluate state insanity defence laws

Controversial Research Paper Topics About Mental Health

  • Do mentally ill patients have a right to choose whether to go to psychiatric centres or not?
  • Should families take the elderly to mental health institutions?
  • Does the doctor have the right to end the life of a terminally ill mental patient?
  • The use of euthanasia among extreme cases of mental health
  • Are mental disorders a result of curses and witchcraft?
  • Do violent video games make children aggressive and uncontrollable?
  • Should mental institutions be located outside the cities?
  • How often should families visit their relatives who are mentally ill?
  • Why the government should fully support the mentally ill
  • Should mental health clinics use pictures of patients without their consent?
  • Should families pay for the care of mentally ill relatives?
  • Do mentally ill patients have the right to marry or get married?
  • Who determines when to send a patient to a mental health facility?

Mental Health Topics For Discussion

  • The role of drama and music in treating mental health problems
  • Explore new ways of coping with mental health problems in the 21 st century
  • How social media is contributing to various mental health problems
  • Does Yoga and meditation help to treat mental health complications?
  • Is the mental health curriculum for psychology students inclusive enough?
  • Why solving problems as a family can help alleviate mental health disorders
  • Why teachers can either maintain or disrupt the mental state of their students
  • Should patients with mental health issues learn to live with their problems?
  • Why socializing is difficult for patients with mental disorders
  • Are our online psychology clinics effective in handling mental health issues?
  • Discuss why people aged 18-25 are more prone to mental health problems
  • Analyze the growing trend of social stigma in the United States
  • Are all people with mental health disorders violent and dangerous?

Mental Health Of New Mothers Research Topics

  • The role of mental disorders in mother-infant bonding
  • How mental health issues could lead to delays in the emotional development of the infant
  • The impact of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on postpartum women
  • Why anxiety and depression are associated with preterm delivery
  • The role of husbands in attending to wives’ postpartum care needs
  • What is the effectiveness of screening for postpartum depression?
  • The role of resilience in dealing with mental issues after delivery
  • Why marginalized women are more prone to postpartum depression
  • Why failure to bond leads to mental disorders among new mothers
  • Discuss how low and middle-income countries contribute to perinatal depression
  • How to prevent the recurrence of postpartum mental disorders in future
  • The role of anti-depression drugs in dealing with depression among new mothers
  • A case study of the various healthcare interventions for perinatal anxiety and mood disorders

What Are The Hot Topics For Mental Health Research Today

  • Discuss why mental health problems may be a result of a character flaw
  • The impact of damaging stereotypes in mental health
  • Why are many people reluctant to speak about their mental health issues?
  • Why the society tends to judge people with mental issues
  • Does alcohol and wasting health help one deal with a mental problem?
  • Discuss the role of bullying in causing mental health disorders among students
  • Why open forums in school and communities can help in curbing mental disorders
  • How to build healthy relationships that can help in solving mental health issues
  • Discuss frustration and lack of understanding in relationships
  • The role of a stable and supportive family in preventing mental disorders
  • How parents can start mental health conversations with their children
  • Analyze the responsibilities of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
  • The role of a positive mind in dealing with psychological problems

Good Research Topics On Refugees Mental Health

  • Why do refugees find themselves under high levels of stress?
  • Discuss the modalities of looking after the mental health of refugees
  • Evaluate the importance of a cultural framework in helping refugees with mental illnesses
  • How refugee camp administrators can help identify mental health disorders among refugees
  • Discuss the implications of dangerous traditional practices
  • The role of the UNHCR in assisting refugees with mental problems
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among refugees
  • Dealing with hopelessness among refugees
  • The prevalence of traumatic experiences in refugee camps
  • Does cognitive-behavioural therapy work for refugees?
  • Discuss the role of policy planning in dealing with refugee-mental health problems
  • Are psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine effective in refugee camps?
  • Practical groups and in‐group therapeutic settings for refugee camps

Adolescent Mental Health Research Topics

  • Discuss why suicide is among the leading causes of death among adolescents
  • The role of acting-out behaviour or substance use in mental issues among adolescents
  • Mental effects of unsafe sexual behaviour among adolescents
  • Psychopharmacologic agents and menstrual dysfunction in adolescents
  • The role of confidentiality in preventive care visits
  • Mental health disorders and impairment among adolescents
  • Why adolescents not in school risk developing mental disorders
  • Does a clinical model work for adolescents with mental illnesses?
  • The role of self-worth and esteem in dealing with adolescent mental disorders
  • How to develop positive relationships with peers
  • Technology and mental ill-health among adolescents
  • How to deal with stigma among adolescents
  • Curriculum that supports young people to stay engaged and motivated

Research Topics For Mental Health And Government

  • Evaluate mental health leadership and governance in the United States
  • Advocacy and partnerships in dealing with mental health
  • Discuss mental health and socio-cultural perspective
  • Management and coordination of mental health policy frameworks
  • Roles and responsibilities of governments in dealing with mental health
  • Monitoring and evaluation of mental health policies
  • What is the essence of a mental health commission?
  • Benefits of mental well-being to the prosperity of a country
  • Necessary reforms to the mental health systems
  • Legal frameworks for dealing with substance use disorders
  • How mental health can impede the development of a country
  • The role of the government in dealing with decaying mental health institutions
  • Inadequate legislation in dealing with mental health problems

Abnormal Psychology Topics

  • What does it mean to display strange behaviour?
  • Role of mental health professionals in dealing with abnormal psychology
  • Discuss the concept of dysfunction in mental illness
  • How does deviance relate to mental illness?
  • Role of culture and social norms
  • The cost of treating abnormal psychology in the US
  • Using aversive treatment in abnormal psychology
  • Importance of psychological debriefing
  • Is addiction a mental disease?
  • Use of memory-dampening drugs
  • Coercive interrogations and psychology

Behavioural Health Issues In Mental Health

  • Detachment from reality
  • Inability to withstand daily problems
  • Conduct disorder among children
  • Role of therapy in behavioural disorders
  • Eating and drinking habits and mental health
  • Addictive behaviour patterns for teenagers in high school
  • Discuss mental implications of gambling and sex addiction
  • Impact of maladaptive behaviours on the society
  • Extreme mood changes
  • Confused thinking
  • Role of friends in behavioural complications
  • Spiritual leaders in helping deal with behavioural issues
  • Suicidal thoughts

Latest Psychology Research Topics

  • Discrimination and prejudice in a society
  • Impact of negative social cognition
  • Role of personal perceptions
  • How attitudes affect mental well-being
  • Effects of cults on cognitive behaviour
  • Marketing and psychology
  • How romance can distort normal cognitive functioning
  • Why people with pro-social behaviour may be less affected
  • Leadership and mental health
  • Discuss how to deal with anti-social personality disorders
  • Coping with phobias in school
  • The role of group therapy
  • Impact of dreams on one’s psychological behaviour

Professional Psychiatry Research Topics

  • The part of false memories
  • Media and stress disorders
  • Impact of gender roles
  • Role of parenting styles
  • Age and psychology
  • The biography of Harry Harlow
  • Career paths in psychology
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Dealing with paranoia
  • Delusions and their remedy
  • A distorted perception of reality
  • Rights of mental caregivers
  • Dealing with a loss
  • Handling a break-up

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Mental Health Research Paper Topics

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Exploring the wide array of mental health research paper topics can be an enriching experience for students studying health sciences. This subject matter is not only relevant but is also critically important in today’s context, given the rising prevalence of mental health issues in society. In this guide, we will navigate through a comprehensive list of potential topics, categorized into ten major areas of mental health. Additionally, this page provides expert advice on how to choose and delve into these topics effectively, as well as guidance on constructing a well-written mental health research paper. As a supplementary service, we also present iResearchNet’s professional writing offerings. iResearchNet specializes in providing students with high-quality, custom-written research papers on any topic of their choice. With a potent combination of expert degree-holding writers, meticulous research, and adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity, iResearchNet offers unparalleled support to students aiming to excel in their academic endeavors.

100 Mental Health Research Paper Topics

Embarking on the exploration of mental health research paper topics presents an incredible opportunity to delve into diverse areas of study and reveal intriguing insights. From understanding the human psyche to unraveling the intricate workings of various mental disorders, this domain offers a wide array of research avenues. In this section, we present a comprehensive list of 100 mental health research paper topics, neatly organized into ten major categories. This catalog is designed to cater to different interests, offer fresh perspectives, and stimulate thought-provoking discussions.

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  • The impact of social media on mental health
  • The psychological effects of bullying
  • Role of personality traits in mental health
  • Nature vs. nurture debate in psychology
  • Psychological effects of long-term stress
  • The role of psychology in pain management
  • The impact of sleep disorders on mental health
  • Effects of meditation on mental health
  • The psychology of decision-making
  • Understanding cognitive biases
  • Impact of parenting styles on children’s mental health
  • Childhood trauma and its long-term effects
  • Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • The role of school environments in child mental health
  • Adolescent depression: Causes and effects
  • The impact of divorce on children
  • Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Eating disorders in adolescents
  • Impact of physical activity on children’s mental health
  • Childhood anxiety disorders
  • Impacts of work stress on mental health
  • Understanding Bipolar Disorder
  • Adult PTSD and its management
  • Role of exercise in mental health maintenance
  • The link between adult obesity and mental health
  • Alcoholism and its mental health implications
  • Understanding Schizophrenia
  • Mental health impacts of sexual assault
  • The effect of childlessness on mental health
  • The role of religion and spirituality in mental health
  • Mental health issues in aging population
  • Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Role of family in elder mental health
  • Depression in the elderly
  • Cognitive decline in aging: Prevention and management
  • The impact of retirement on mental health
  • Mental health effects of elder abuse
  • The role of social interactions in elder mental health
  • Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
  • Dementia and mental health
  • Global mental health policies: A comparative analysis
  • Role of mental health legislation in patient rights
  • Impact of health insurance policies on mental health services
  • Mental health in prisons: Policy implications
  • The impact of mental health stigma on policy making
  • Mental health policies in schools
  • Workplace mental health policies
  • Mental health parity laws
  • Policy implications of mental health in homelessness
  • Impact of COVID-19 on mental health policies
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in mental health
  • Role of medication in mental health treatment
  • Efficacy of group therapy in mental health
  • Role of art therapy in mental health treatment
  • Understanding Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
  • The role of lifestyle changes in mental health treatment
  • Psychodynamic therapy in mental health
  • The use of virtual reality in mental health treatment
  • Mindfulness-based therapies in mental health
  • Role of family therapy in mental health treatment
  • Understanding personality disorders
  • The psychopathology of addiction
  • Eating disorders: Causes, impacts, and treatments
  • Psychopathology of self-harm behaviors
  • Understanding anxiety disorders
  • The psychopathology of suicidal behavior
  • Psychopathology of mood disorders
  • Understanding obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • The psychopathology of paranoia and delusional disorders
  • Impact of traumatic experiences on psychopathology
  • Impact of job satisfaction on mental health
  • Role of organizational culture in employee mental health
  • Mental health implications of job burnout
  • The role of work-life balance in mental health
  • Understanding the concept of ‘Blue Monday’
  • Mental health implications of remote work
  • The role of employee assistance programs in mental health
  • Mental health effects of workplace harassment
  • Impact of job insecurity on mental health
  • The role of workplace wellness programs in mental health
  • Cross-cultural perspectives on mental health
  • The impact of cultural stigma on mental health outcomes
  • Cultural variations in mental health treatments
  • Understanding mental health in indigenous populations
  • Mental health impacts of acculturation
  • The role of cultural competence in mental health services
  • Culture-bound syndromes
  • Impact of cultural beliefs on mental health
  • Role of language in mental health contexts
  • Cross-cultural communication in mental health care
  • Role of schools in mental health education
  • Impact of mental health literacy on outcomes
  • The role of media in mental health education
  • Mental health promotion in communities
  • Importance of mental health education in medical curricula
  • The role of peer educators in mental health promotion
  • Impact of stigma reduction campaigns on mental health
  • The role of mental health first aid
  • The use of technology in mental health education
  • Mental health education for parents

As we culminate this extensive list of mental health research paper topics, it is essential to remember that each topic presents a unique chance to broaden our understanding of mental health and contribute to this important field. As aspiring health science students, you have the power to make a difference in enhancing mental health awareness and outcomes. As you traverse this exciting journey, always remember that research is not merely a pursuit of knowledge, but a powerful tool for instigating change. Embrace the opportunity with curiosity, passion, and determination, and let your research pave the way for a mentally healthier world.

Choosing Mental Health Research Paper Topics

Choosing a compelling and relevant mental health research paper topic is crucial for creating a meaningful and impactful study. To assist you in this process, we have gathered expert advice from professionals in the field of mental health research. Consider the following ten tips to guide you in selecting an engaging and significant topic for your research:

  • Identify Current Mental Health Issues : Stay updated on the latest developments and trends in mental health research. Explore current issues, emerging challenges, and unanswered questions within the field. This will help you select a topic that is relevant, timely, and has the potential for making a meaningful contribution.
  • Reflect on Personal Interests : Consider your own passions and interests within the broad field of mental health. Reflect on the areas that resonate with you the most. Researching a topic that you are genuinely interested in will fuel your motivation and dedication throughout the research process.
  • Consult Academic Journals and Publications : Explore reputable academic journals and publications dedicated to mental health research. Reading articles and studies within your area of interest will provide insights into existing research gaps, ongoing debates, and potential areas for further exploration.
  • Analyze Existing Literature : Conduct a thorough literature review to identify key themes, theories, and research findings in your chosen area of mental health. Understanding the current body of knowledge will help you narrow down your research focus and identify research gaps that need to be addressed.
  • Consider the Population of Interest : Mental health research encompasses various populations, such as children, adolescents, adults, or specific demographic groups. Consider the population you want to focus on and explore their unique mental health challenges, interventions, or outcomes.
  • Examine Cultural and Social Factors : Mental health is influenced by cultural and social factors. Investigate how cultural norms, societal expectations, or environmental contexts impact mental health outcomes. Understanding these factors will add depth and richness to your research.
  • Think Interdisciplinary : Mental health is a multidisciplinary field that intersects with psychology, sociology, neuroscience, public health, and more. Consider integrating perspectives from other disciplines to gain a comprehensive understanding of mental health issues and approaches to addressing them.
  • Explore Innovative Interventions and Technologies : Investigate novel interventions, therapies, or technologies that are emerging in the field of mental health. Exploring innovative approaches can lead to exciting research opportunities and contribute to advancements in mental health care.
  • Address Stigmatized or Understudied Topics : Mental health encompasses a wide range of conditions and experiences, some of which may be stigmatized or underrepresented in research. Consider topics that address the mental health needs of marginalized populations or shed light on less-discussed mental health conditions.
  • Seek Guidance and Collaboration : Consult with your professors, mentors, or peers who specialize in mental health research. Seek their guidance in selecting a research topic and consider opportunities for collaboration. Collaborative research can provide valuable insights and support throughout the research process.

By incorporating these expert tips into your topic selection process, you can choose a mental health research paper topic that is not only academically rigorous but also personally meaningful. Remember to strike a balance between your interests, the existing body of knowledge, and the potential for making a significant impact in the field of mental health research. With a well-chosen topic, you will embark on a rewarding research journey that contributes to the understanding and well-being of individuals with mental health concerns.

How to Write a Mental Health Research Paper

Writing a mental health research paper requires careful planning, critical thinking, and effective communication of your findings. To help you navigate this process successfully, we have compiled ten essential tips to guide you in crafting a well-structured and impactful paper:

  • Define Your Research Question : Begin by clearly defining your research question or objective. This will serve as the foundation for your paper, guiding your literature review, methodology, and analysis.
  • Conduct a Thorough Literature Review : Familiarize yourself with existing research and theories related to your topic through a comprehensive literature review. This will help you identify gaps in the literature, build on existing knowledge, and situate your research within the broader context of mental health.
  • Select an Appropriate Methodology : Choose a research methodology that aligns with your research question and objectives. Consider whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches are best suited for your study. Justify your choice and outline your methodology clearly.
  • Ethical Considerations : Ensure that your research adheres to ethical guidelines and protects the rights and well-being of participants. Obtain necessary approvals from ethical review boards and maintain confidentiality and anonymity when reporting your findings.
  • Collect and Analyze Data : Collect data using appropriate methods, whether through surveys, interviews, observations, or existing datasets. Analyze your data using sound statistical techniques or qualitative analysis methods, depending on your research design.
  • Structure Your Paper : Organize your mental health research paper into sections, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Use headings and subheadings to clearly delineate each section and guide the reader through your paper.
  • Craft a Compelling Introduction : Begin your paper with an engaging introduction that captures the reader’s attention and provides the necessary background information. Clearly state your research question, the significance of your study, and the gaps you aim to address.
  • Interpret Your Findings : In the results section, present your findings objectively and concisely. Use tables, graphs, or figures to enhance clarity and provide a comprehensive overview of your results. Interpret your findings in light of your research question and existing literature.
  • Engage in a Thoughtful Discussion : In the discussion section, critically analyze and interpret your results, discussing their implications for theory, practice, and future research. Compare your findings with previous studies and identify areas of agreement or divergence.
  • Conclude with Key Takeaways : Summarize your main findings, restate the significance of your study, and discuss potential avenues for further research. Highlight the contributions your research makes to the field of mental health and offer practical implications for mental health professionals or policymakers.

Additional Tips:

  • Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon whenever possible. Define any technical terms or acronyms for clarity.
  • Properly cite all sources using a recognized citation style, such as APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard, to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.
  • Seek feedback from professors, mentors, or peers to refine your writing and ensure the clarity and coherence of your paper.
  • Revise and edit your paper multiple times to polish your arguments, improve sentence structure, and eliminate grammatical errors.

By following these tips, you can confidently navigate the process of writing a mental health research paper. Remember to maintain a logical flow, support your arguments with evidence, and engage in critical analysis to contribute to the understanding and advancement of mental health research.

iResearchNet’s Custom Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the unique challenges that students face when writing a mental health research paper. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive writing services that cater specifically to the needs of health sciences students like you. Here are thirteen features that set us apart and ensure your research paper’s success:

  • Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our team of writers consists of highly qualified professionals with advanced degrees in mental health and related fields. They have the expertise and knowledge necessary to tackle complex research topics and produce high-quality papers.
  • Custom Written Works : We believe in originality and customization. Each mental health research paper we deliver is custom-written from scratch to meet your specific requirements and adhere to your instructions. We guarantee plagiarism-free and unique content.
  • In-Depth Research : Our writers conduct thorough and in-depth research on your chosen mental health topic to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and comprehensiveness of your paper. They have access to a vast array of scholarly resources and stay updated on the latest research in the field.
  • Custom Formatting : We understand the importance of following specific formatting styles. Whether you require APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard formatting, our writers are well-versed in these styles and will ensure that your paper meets the required standards.
  • Top Quality Assurance : We have a stringent quality assurance process in place to guarantee the highest standards of excellence. Our dedicated team of editors and proofreaders carefully review each mental health research paper for grammar, clarity, coherence, and adherence to academic standards.
  • Customized Solutions : We recognize that every mental health research paper is unique. Our services are tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that we address your research question, objectives, and desired outcomes. We work closely with you to customize our approach and deliver a paper that aligns with your academic goals.
  • Flexible Pricing : We understand the financial constraints that students face. Our pricing options are designed to be flexible and affordable while maintaining the quality of our services. We offer competitive rates and transparent pricing, ensuring that you receive value for your investment.
  • Short Deadlines : We are equipped to handle urgent requests and short deadlines. If you require your mental health research paper in a tight timeframe, we can accommodate deadlines as short as three hours without compromising on quality or accuracy.
  • Timely Delivery : We recognize the importance of meeting deadlines. Our writers and support staff are committed to delivering your mental health research paper on time, allowing you sufficient time for review and any necessary revisions.
  • 24/7 Support : We provide round-the-clock customer support to address any inquiries, concerns, or issues you may have. Our dedicated support team is available to assist you at any stage of the writing process, ensuring a seamless and positive experience.
  • Absolute Privacy : We prioritize the confidentiality and privacy of our clients. Rest assured that any personal information shared with us will be handled with the utmost care and will remain strictly confidential.
  • Easy Order Tracking : Our user-friendly platform allows you to easily track the progress of your mental health research paper. You can communicate directly with your assigned writer, exchange messages, provide additional instructions, and stay informed about the status of your order.
  • Money Back Guarantee : We are confident in the quality of our services. In the rare event that you are not satisfied with the final product, we offer a money-back guarantee to ensure your complete satisfaction and peace of mind.

With iResearchNet’s writing services, you can trust that your mental health research paper is in capable hands. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering custom-written papers that meet your academic requirements and exceed your expectations. Let us be your partner in achieving excellence in your mental health research endeavors.

Unlock Your Research Potential with iResearchNet

Are you a health sciences student working on a mental health research paper and seeking professional assistance to elevate your work? Look no further. iResearchNet is your trusted partner in achieving success in your academic journey. We understand the complexities and challenges you face in conducting rigorous research and producing a compelling paper. Our comprehensive writing services are tailored specifically to your needs, offering you the expertise and support required to excel in your mental health research.

By choosing iResearchNet, you gain access to a team of highly qualified writers who specialize in mental health and related disciplines. Our writers possess extensive knowledge and experience in the field, ensuring that your research paper is crafted with precision, accuracy, and a deep understanding of the subject matter. We are committed to delivering custom-written papers that reflect your unique research objectives and contribute to the advancement of mental health knowledge.

With iResearchNet, you can expect a seamless and enriching experience throughout your research journey. Our user-friendly platform enables you to easily communicate with your assigned writer, providing an opportunity for collaboration and ensuring that your paper is tailored to your specific requirements. Our dedicated customer support team is available 24/7 to address any inquiries or concerns you may have, providing you with the guidance and assistance you need at every step.

At iResearchNet, we take pride in our commitment to excellence. We strive to exceed your expectations by delivering high-quality, custom-written mental health research papers that showcase your academic prowess. Our writers conduct in-depth research, adhere to strict academic standards, and ensure that your paper is free from plagiarism. We offer timely delivery, flexible pricing options, and a money-back guarantee to provide you with peace of mind.

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300+ Mental Health Research Topics

Mental Health Research Topics

Mental health is a complex and multi-faceted topic that affects millions of people worldwide. Research into mental health has become increasingly important in recent years, as the global burden of mental illness continues to rise. From identifying risk factors and developing effective treatments, to addressing social and cultural influences, mental health research covers a broad range of topics . In this blog post, we will explore some of the most important and fascinating mental health research topics that are currently being studied by experts in the field.

Mental Health Research Topics

Mental Health Research Topics are as follows:

  • The impact of social media on mental health
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress and anxiety
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and adult mental health outcomes
  • The role of exercise in promoting mental health and well-being
  • The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating depression and anxiety
  • The impact of sleep deprivation on mental health and cognitive functioning
  • The relationship between diet and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of workplace stress on mental health
  • The effectiveness of group therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The relationship between substance abuse and mental health outcomes
  • The impact of stigma on mental health treatment-seeking behavior
  • The effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy for improving mental health
  • The impact of environmental factors on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between chronic illness and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of art therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of cultural factors on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between personality traits and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of music therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of trauma on memory and cognitive functioning
  • The relationship between socioeconomic status and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of social support on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between perfectionism and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating anxiety disorders
  • The impact of early intervention on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between attachment styles and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of narrative therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of technology on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between resilience and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of family therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of gender on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between creativity and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy for treating borderline personality disorder
  • The impact of personality disorders on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between trauma and addiction
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy for improving cognitive functioning in individuals with mental illness
  • The impact of discrimination on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of play therapy for treating mental health disorders in children
  • The impact of attachment trauma on relationships in adulthood
  • The relationship between religious or spiritual beliefs and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy for treating mental health disorders
  • The impact of chronic pain on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between self-esteem and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for treating trauma-related disorders
  • The impact of parenting style on mental health outcomes in children
  • The relationship between mindfulness and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy for improving mental health.
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and mental illness
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for treating anxiety disorders
  • The role of genetics in the development of mental illness
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating depression
  • The impact of exercise on mental health
  • The prevalence and causes of burnout among healthcare professionals
  • The effectiveness of group therapy for treating substance abuse disorders
  • The impact of sleep on mental health
  • The relationship between trauma and dissociation
  • The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy for treating phobias
  • The relationship between gut health and mental health
  • The impact of stigma on seeking mental health treatment
  • The relationship between spirituality and mental health
  • The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health
  • The relationship between attachment style and mental health
  • The effectiveness of art therapy for treating PTSD
  • The impact of chronic illness on mental health
  • The relationship between personality traits and mental illness
  • The effectiveness of narrative therapy for treating depression
  • The relationship between social support and mental health
  • The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for treating trauma
  • The impact of discrimination on mental health
  • The relationship between parental bonding and mental health
  • The effectiveness of family therapy for treating eating disorders
  • The impact of environmental factors on mental health
  • The relationship between hormonal changes and mental health
  • The effectiveness of equine therapy for treating addiction
  • The impact of trauma on attachment
  • The relationship between exercise addiction and mental health
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for treating anxiety disorders
  • The impact of racism on mental health
  • The relationship between animal-assisted therapy and mental health
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating OCD
  • The impact of gender identity on mental health
  • The relationship between social anxiety and substance abuse
  • The effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy for treating relationship issues
  • The impact of social inequality on mental health
  • The relationship between spirituality and substance abuse
  • The effectiveness of schema therapy for treating personality disorders
  • The impact of peer support on mental health
  • The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy for treating depression
  • The impact of poverty on mental health
  • The relationship between sleep disorders and mental health
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for treating addiction
  • The impact of immigration on mental health
  • The relationship between self-esteem and mental health.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and adult mental health
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for depression
  • The impact of exercise on mental health outcomes
  • The role of sleep disturbances in the development of psychiatric disorders
  • The effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder
  • The relationship between alcohol use and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder
  • The impact of nutrition on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between chronic pain and mental health
  • The effectiveness of group therapy in treating depression
  • The role of stigma in mental health treatment-seeking behaviors
  • The relationship between trauma exposure and suicidal behavior
  • The effectiveness of telehealth interventions for mental health care
  • The role of attachment styles in the development of mental illness
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety
  • The impact of work-related stress on mental health
  • The relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation in treating schizophrenia
  • The role of family dynamics in the development of mental illness
  • The relationship between childhood adversity and substance use disorders
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in treating borderline personality
  • The effectiveness of psychoanalytic therapy in treating depression
  • The impact of peer support groups on mental health outcomes
  • The role of spirituality in coping with mental illness
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in treating anxiety
  • The impact of trauma-informed care on mental health treatment outcomes
  • The relationship between body image and mental health
  • The effectiveness of art therapy in treating PTSD
  • The role of cognitive biases in the development of mental illness
  • The relationship between social isolation and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in treating phobias
  • The impact of stigma on mental health among LGBTQ+ individuals
  • The relationship between trauma and eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of emotion regulation interventions in treating borderline personality disorder
  • The role of attachment styles in the treatment of anxiety disorders
  • The relationship between childhood abuse and dissociative disorders
  • The effectiveness of family-based interventions in treating adolescent depression
  • The relationship between social inequality and mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for substance use disorders
  • The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating OCD
  • The relationship between emotional regulation and addiction recovery
  • The impact of trauma-focused therapy on PTSD symptoms in military veterans
  • The relationship between sleep disorders and mood disorders
  • The effectiveness of exercise interventions in treating depression
  • The role of trauma-informed care in treating substance use disorders
  • The relationship between trauma and personality disorders
  • The effectiveness of interpersonal therapy in treating depression
  • The impact of cultural factors on mental health treatment outcomes
  • The relationship between stigma and medication adherence in mental health treatment
  • The effectiveness of behavioral activation interventions in treating depression
  • The role of cognitive biases in addiction recovery
  • The relationship between social support and addiction recovery
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in addiction recovery
  • The impact of comorbid medical conditions on mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain management
  • The role of coping strategies in the treatment of anxiety disorders
  • The relationship between anxiety and substance use disorders
  • The impact of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of narrative therapy in treating trauma
  • The role of social support in trauma recovery.
  • The relationship between trauma and depression
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in treating substance use disorders
  • The impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health outcomes
  • The role of cultural competence in mental health treatment
  • The relationship between childhood obesity and mental health
  • The effectiveness of art therapy in treating anxiety disorders
  • The impact of mindfulness on workplace mental health
  • The effectiveness of group therapy in treating substance use disorders
  • The role of spirituality in addiction recovery
  • The relationship between personality disorders and addiction
  • The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in treating anxiety disorders
  • The impact of social support on PTSD treatment outcomes
  • The relationship between social anxiety and substance use disorders
  • The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in treating PTSD
  • The role of resilience in mental health recovery
  • The relationship between addiction and trauma in veterans
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation in treating ADHD
  • The impact of parental mental illness on children’s mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between trauma and bipolar disorder
  • The effectiveness of narrative therapy in treating depression
  • The role of mindfulness in addiction recovery
  • The relationship between borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating eating disorders
  • The impact of workplace bullying on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between trauma and self-harm behaviors
  • The effectiveness of family therapy in treating addiction
  • The role of stigma in addiction recovery
  • The effectiveness of schema therapy in treating personality disorders
  • The impact of childhood neglect on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between anxiety and chronic pain
  • The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in treating personality disorders
  • The role of self-compassion in mental health recovery
  • The relationship between trauma and dissociative disorders
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in treating personality disorders
  • The impact of adverse work conditions on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between addiction and sleep disorders
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy in treating phobias
  • The role of emotional regulation in addiction recovery
  • The relationship between trauma and addiction in women
  • The impact of childhood bullying on mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating personality disorders
  • The role of resilience in addiction recovery
  • The relationship between ADHD and substance use disorders
  • The impact of social support on eating disorder treatment outcomes
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in treating personality disorders
  • The role of positive psychology in mental health recovery
  • The relationship between trauma and PTSD in children
  • The effectiveness of family-based interventions in treating substance use disorders
  • The relationship between social media use and body image concerns
  • The effectiveness of group therapy for substance use disorders
  • The role of resilience in coping with mental illness
  • The impact of trauma on attachment patterns in adulthood
  • The relationship between childhood neglect and depression
  • The role of emotional intelligence in mental health outcomes
  • The effectiveness of family therapy for eating disorders
  • The impact of mindfulness on emotion regulation in borderline personality disorder
  • The relationship between childhood ADHD and substance use disorders in adulthood
  • The role of social support in preventing suicide
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia
  • The impact of trauma on the development of borderline personality disorder
  • The relationship between childhood bullying and anxiety disorders in adulthood
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy for eating disorders
  • The role of attachment styles in the treatment of personality disorders
  • The impact of family conflict on adolescent mental health
  • The relationship between childhood maltreatment and self-harm behaviors
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy for PTSD
  • The role of social support in the treatment of depression
  • The impact of trauma on the development of dissociative identity disorder
  • The relationship between childhood abuse and addiction
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for ADHD
  • The role of cognitive biases in the development of OCD
  • The impact of perfectionism on mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and schizophrenia
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation for executive functioning deficits in bipolar disorder
  • The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of hoarding disorder
  • The impact of societal expectations on mental health in minority groups
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and borderline personality disorder
  • The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain
  • The role of social support in the treatment of substance use disorders
  • The impact of trauma on attachment patterns in childhood
  • The relationship between childhood ADHD and depression in adulthood
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder
  • The role of emotional regulation in preventing self-harm behaviors
  • The impact of societal stigma on mental health treatment-seeking behaviors
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of interpersonal therapy for depression
  • The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of panic disorder
  • The impact of trauma on the development of anxiety disorders
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and bipolar disorder
  • The effectiveness of exposure and response prevention for OCD
  • The role of cognitive biases in the treatment of PTSD
  • The impact of social support on mental health outcomes in LGBTQ+ individuals
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and social anxiety disorder
  • The effectiveness of psychoanalytic therapy for personality disorders
  • The role of emotional regulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders
  • The impact of childhood trauma on substance use disorders in adulthood
  • The relationship between childhood ADHD and anxiety disorders in adulthood
  • The relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction
  • The role of childhood attachment in the development of anxiety disorders
  • The relationship between social support and PTSD recovery
  • The effectiveness of psychotherapy for treating substance use disorders
  • The impact of trauma exposure on cognitive functioning
  • The relationship between sleep disorders and anxiety
  • The role of childhood adversity in the development of eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders
  • The impact of racial discrimination on mental health outcomes
  • The role of emotion dysregulation in the development of personality disorders
  • The effectiveness of family-based interventions in treating eating disorders
  • The impact of childhood trauma on self-esteem
  • The role of attachment styles in the treatment of PTSD
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy for treating eating disorders
  • The impact of parental stress on child mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between childhood ADHD and substance use disorders
  • The role of resilience in the treatment of trauma
  • The effectiveness of motivational interviewing in treating substance use disorders
  • The impact of childhood trauma on physical health outcomes
  • The relationship between anxiety and perfectionism
  • The role of cultural factors in the development of eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for trauma
  • The impact of peer victimization on mental health outcomes
  • The role of self-compassion in the treatment of depression
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy for OCD
  • The impact of childhood trauma on social relationships
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and psychosis
  • The role of cognitive biases in the development of eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of transdiagnostic treatments for anxiety and depression
  • The impact of chronic illness on mental health outcomes
  • The role of self-esteem in the treatment of anxiety disorders
  • The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in treating trauma
  • The impact of maternal depression on child mental health outcomes
  • The relationship between trauma and dissociative symptoms
  • The role of attachment styles in the treatment of eating disorders
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation in treating eating disorders
  • The impact of adverse childhood experiences on the development of addiction
  • The relationship between anxiety and hoarding behavior
  • The role of cognitive biases in the development of substance use disorders
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain management
  • The impact of childhood trauma on emotional regulation
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal behavior
  • The role of mindfulness in the treatment of depression
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders.

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research titles examples about mental health

On World Mental Health Day 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mental health a fundamental human right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of location or background. In support of WHO’s mission, we have compiled a list of leading article collections advancing mental health research.

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AR/VR metaverse to improve mental health: World Economic Forum emerging technologies report

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Research articles

research titles examples about mental health

The relation between cortical gene expression and the neural correlates of risky behavior

In a large dataset from the UK Biobank, the authors examine the relationships between regional gene expressions and structural and functional features of the cerebral cortex associated with risky behavior.

  • Abdel Abdellaoui
  • Karin J. H. Verweij

research titles examples about mental health

Associated transcriptional, brain and clinical variations in schizophrenia

This study examining blood transcriptomic, neuroimaging and clinical data in people with schizophrenia shows a relationship between individual variations in gene transcription, brain structure and cognitive performance.

  • Long-Biao Cui
  • Shu-Wan Zhao
  • Yongbin Wei

research titles examples about mental health

Neocortical serotonin 2A receptor binding, neuroticism and risk of developing depression in healthy individuals

In this study, the authors used molecular brain imaging and measures of neuroticism to identify that high 5-HT 2A R binding and higher levels of neuroticism predicted an increased risk of developing depression up to 19 years after assessment.

  • Anjali Sankar
  • Simon C. Ziersen
  • Vibe G. Frokjaer

research titles examples about mental health

Mapping cerebellar anatomical heterogeneity in mental and neurological illnesses

This study maps cerebellar anatomy across the lifespan using over 54,000 brain scans from 132 scanning sites and identifies that patients with autism spectrum disorder, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and schizophrenia are likely to have deviations in cerebellar anatomy.

  • Esten Leonardsen
  • Torgeir Moberget

research titles examples about mental health

Exploration of first onsets of mania, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major depressive disorder in perimenopause

The authors investigate first onsets of psychiatric disorders during perimenopause, finding higher incidence rates of major depressive disorder and mania.

  • Lisa M. Shitomi-Jones
  • Clare Dolman
  • Arianna Di Florio

research titles examples about mental health

Building machine learning prediction models for well-being using predictors from the exposome and genome in a population cohort

Machine learning prediction models for adult well-being were built on longitudinal data from the Netherlands Twin Register population cohort. The exposome, but not the genome, predicted well-being in adulthood, with key factors including optimism, personality, social support and neighborhood housing characteristics.

  • Dirk H. M. Pelt
  • Philippe C. Habets
  • Meike Bartels

research titles examples about mental health

Brain, lifestyle and environmental pathways linking physical and mental health

In a large-scale UK Biobank study of multimodal brain imaging and physiological markers, the authors find brain-mediated patterns of organ function and lifestyle pathways that are predictive of specific mental health outcomes.

  • Ye Ella Tian
  • James H. Cole
  • Andrew Zalesky

research titles examples about mental health

Mood instability metrics to stratify individuals and measure outcomes in bipolar disorder

This study introduces a method to measure outcomes in bipolar disorder by quantifying mood instability over time.

  • Sarah H. Sperry
  • Anastasia K. Yocum
  • Melvin G. McInnis

research titles examples about mental health

Different hierarchical reconfigurations in the brain by psilocybin and escitalopram for depression

Psilocybin and escitalopram create significantly different reconfigurations in the global functional hierarchy of brain dynamics with opposite statistical effect responses in people with major depressive disorder.

  • Gustavo Deco
  • Yonatan Sanz Perl
  • Morten L. Kringelbach

research titles examples about mental health

Modeling impulsivity and risk aversion in the subthalamic nucleus with deep brain stimulation

Using a card gambling task paired with intracranial recordings and deep brain stimulation of the right subthalamic nucleus, the authors dissociate objective and subjective markers of risk taking and demonstrate the role of stimulation localization on risk-related behavior.

  • Valerie Voon
  • Luis Manssuer

research titles examples about mental health

Childhood-onset type 1 diabetes and subsequent adult psychiatric disorders: a nationwide cohort and genome-wide Mendelian randomization study

In this study, analyzing Czech national register-based data and using genome-wide Mendelian randomization, the authors report elevated risk for developing substance use, mood, anxiety and personality disorders in individuals with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, and show that these associations are unlikely to be explicable by common underlying biological mechanisms.

  • Tomáš Formánek
  • Benjamin I. Perry

research titles examples about mental health

Depressive symptoms and sex differences in the risk of post-COVID-19 persistent symptoms: a prospective population-based cohort study

In this cohort study, the authors find that depressive symptoms at the beginning of the pandemic may partially explain why women participants who had a COVID-19 episode were more likely than their male counterparts to report at least one post-COVID-19 persistent symptom seven to ten months later.

  • Joane Matta
  • Baptiste Pignon
  • Cédric Lemogne

research titles examples about mental health

Shared genetics of ADHD, cannabis use disorder and cannabis use and prediction of cannabis use disorder in ADHD

In this study, the authors use a combination of genetic methodologies to investigate the genetic associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cannabis use disorder and cannabis use.

  • Trine Tollerup Nielsen
  • Jinjie Duan
  • Ditte Demontis

research titles examples about mental health

Deep brain stimulation of habenula reduces depressive symptoms and modulates brain activities in treatment-resistant depression

Using deep brain stimulation of the habenula with implanted electrodes in patients with treatment-resistant depression, this study found a substantial reduction in depression scores at follow-up over multiple time points.

  • Zhiyan Wang

research titles examples about mental health

Tumor location is associated with mood dysfunction in patients with diffuse glioma

The authors report how the anatomical location of diffuse gliomas is related to the occurrence of severe depressive symptoms or the absence of depressive symptoms.

  • Maisa N. G. van Genderen
  • Vera Belgers
  • Philip C. De Witt Hamer

research titles examples about mental health

Individual differences in autism-like traits are associated with reduced goal emulation in a computational model of observational learning

Using a computational approach, Wu et al. find that autism-related traits are associated with reduced observational learning specifically through reduced goal emulation, revealing difficulties in social goal inference.

  • Qianying Wu
  • Caroline J. Charpentier

research titles examples about mental health

Opioid-induced neuroanatomical, microglial and behavioral changes are blocked by suvorexant without diminishing opioid analgesia

The authors demonstrate that, in a mouse model of heroin use disorder, co-administration of morphine and suvorexant prevented both morphine-induced anatomical changes in hypocretin neurons and morphine anticipation and reduced morphine withdrawal behavior but spared analgesia, suggesting applications for reducing opioid addiction potential in humans.

  • Ronald McGregor
  • Ming-Fung Wu
  • Jerome M. Siegel

research titles examples about mental health

A cognitive neural circuit biotype of depression showing functional and behavioral improvement after transcranial magnetic stimulation in the B-SMART-fMRI trial

The authors investigate functional connectivity before and after transcranial magnetic stimulation in veterans with treatment-resistant depression stratified by cognitive biotype, demonstrating associated brain connectivity-mediated improvement in cognitive behavioral task performance.

  • Leonardo Tozzi
  • Claire Bertrand
  • Leanne Maree Williams

research titles examples about mental health

Characterizing the phenotypic and genetic structure of psychopathology in UK Biobank

In this study using UK Biobank and genomic data, the phenotypic and genetic factor structures across ten psychiatric conditions are analyzed, finding general genetic and phenotypic consistency but greater potential gene and environment disparities in conditions associated with externalizing disorders.

  • Camille M. Williams
  • Franck Ramus

research titles examples about mental health

Prenatal cannabis exposure, the brain, and psychopathology during early adolescence

The authors used data from the ABCD Study to examine the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on neuroimaging metrics and mental health in adolescents.

  • David A. A. Baranger
  • Alex P. Miller
  • Ryan Bogdan

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research titles examples about mental health

Mental Health Research Topics

research titles examples about mental health

Recently, mental health has become an increasingly prevalent and critical topic of discussion. From the stresses of work and school to the challenges of maintaining relationships and navigating societal pressures, individuals are facing a myriad of mental health concerns. 

In this article, we dive into the complexities of mental health topics, ranging from anxiety and depression to coping mechanisms and seeking professional help. By shedding light on these issues and offering insights into understanding, managing, and supporting mental well-being, we aim to empower individuals to prioritize their mental health and foster a culture of openness and compassion surrounding mental health discussions. If your schedule is too hectic, simply say, ‘ write my essay ,’ and our experts will help you relieve the workload.

Already Found a Great Mental Health Topic?

Use our service to obtain a good research paper if your schedule is tight.

200 Mental Health Research Paper Topics

In this section, we explore various mental health topics, providing insights, strategies, and resources to support individuals on their journey towards mental wellness.

Good Research Topics About Mental Health

  • Social media's impact on teen mental health.
  • Coping with stress in college.
  • Exercise and mental well-being.
  • Work stress management techniques.
  • Family support and depression.
  • Mental health stigma in rural areas.
  • Mindfulness for PTSD.
  • Diet's effect on mental health.
  • LGBTQ+ youth mental health.
  • Burnout among healthcare workers.
  • Early experiences and adult mental health.
  • Sleep quality and mood disorders.
  • Culture and mental illness.
  • Suicide prevention in teens.
  • Tech use and mental well-being.
  • Online therapy effectiveness.
  • Psychology of long-term unemployment.
  • Chronic illness and mental health.
  • Peer support for addiction recovery.
  • Elderly mental health in nursing homes.

Mental Health Research Topics for High School Students

  • Social media's impact on teen self-esteem.
  • Stress management during exams.
  • Peer pressure and mental health.
  • Mindfulness for teen anxiety.
  • Bullying's mental health effects.
  • Academic pressure and depression.
  • Sleep's role in teen mental health.
  • Gender differences in seeking help.
  • Extracurriculars and mental health.
  • Teenage mental health stigma.
  • Family dynamics and teen mental health.
  • Social support for teens.
  • Cultural attitudes on teen mental health.
  • Building resilience in adolescents.
  • Exercise and mood in teens.
  • Screen time and mental health.
  • Peer-led mental health initiatives.
  • Eating disorders in high schoolers.
  • Substance abuse and mental health.
  • School mental health programs.

Mental Health Research Topics for College Students

  • Academic stress and mental health.
  • Social media's impact on college students.
  • Campus mental health services effectiveness.
  • Sleep quality and mental well-being.
  • Depression and anxiety prevalence.
  • Financial stress and mental health.
  • Coping with homesickness in college.
  • Identity exploration and mental health.
  • Substance use and college mental health.
  • International students' mental health needs.
  • Perfectionism and mental health.
  • Tech use and psychological well-being.
  • Stigma around mental health help-seeking.
  • Peer support on campus.
  • Relationships and mental health.
  • Academic pressure, sleep, and mental health.
  • Mental health of student-athletes.
  • Cultural identity and mental health.
  • Social isolation among students.
  • Stress management workshops' impact.

Sociology Research Topics on Mental Health

  • Societal stigma and mental illness.
  • Socioeconomic status and mental health access.
  • Cultural perspectives on mental health.
  • Gender differences in mental health treatment.
  • Family influence on mental health attitudes.
  • Social constructions of mental illness.
  • Mental health in marginalized communities.
  • Social support and well-being.
  • Race, gender, and mental health.
  • Policies addressing mental health needs.
  • Media portrayal of mental illness.
  • Community-based mental health initiatives.
  • Urbanization and mental health challenges.
  • Loneliness and mental well-being.
  • Religion, spirituality, and mental health.
  • Employment status and mental health.
  • Education's role in mental health.
  • Social determinants of mental well-being.
  • Mental health in the criminal justice system.
  • Peer support for stigma reduction.

Mental Health Research Topics for Nursing Students

  • Nurses' role in mental health awareness.
  • Anxiety disorder nursing interventions.
  • Combatting mental health stigma in nursing.
  • Trauma-informed care in psychiatric nursing.
  • Therapeutic communication's impact in mental health.
  • Medication management in psychiatric nursing.
  • Suicide risk assessment and interventions.
  • Self-care for mental health nurses.
  • Holistic approaches in mental health nursing.
  • Cultural competence in mental health care.
  • Nursing interventions for mood disorders.
  • Family support in mental health nursing.
  • Adolescent mental health nursing.
  • Evidence-based practices in psychiatric nursing.
  • Nursing care for schizophrenia patients.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care.
  • Substance use disorder nursing support.
  • Challenges and rewards of psychiatric nursing.
  • Crisis intervention in mental health nursing.
  • Ethical considerations in mental health care.

If you’re a medical student, use our nursing writing services to handle the workload and keep your GPA high.

Mental Illness Topics for Research Paper

  • Genetics and environment in schizophrenia.
  • Neurotransmitters in depression treatment.
  • Neurobiology of anxiety disorders.
  • Childhood trauma and borderline personality disorder.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy for OCD.
  • Early intervention for psychosis.
  • Substance abuse and mood disorders.
  • Culture and eating disorder treatment.
  • Neurodevelopmental pathways in autism.
  • Inflammation in bipolar disorder.
  • Social determinants of mental illness.
  • Stigma and mental health treatment.
  • Peer support for schizophrenia.
  • Sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders.
  • Social media and body image issues.
  • Stress, trauma, and cognition.
  • Epigenetics and anxiety disorders.
  • Art therapy for mood disorders.
  • Gut microbiota and mental health.

Adolescent Mental Health Research Topics

  • Social media and adolescent mental health.
  • Bullying's impact on teens.
  • Adolescent depression prevalence and risks.
  • Academic pressure and teen anxiety.
  • Substance use among adolescents.
  • Gender identity and teen mental health.
  • Peer relationships and well-being.
  • Mindfulness for adolescent stress reduction.
  • Trauma's effect on teen mental health.
  • Stigma around teen mental health.
  • Sleep patterns and teen mental well-being.
  • Culture and adolescent mental illness.
  • Socioeconomic status and mental health services access.
  • Technology use and teen mental well-being.
  • Suicide prevention strategies for teens.
  • Peer pressure and mental health risks.
  • Resilience-building in at-risk teens.
  • School-based mental health interventions.

Social Justice Research Topics Around Mental Health

  • Mental health disparities in marginalized groups.
  • Racism and mental health outcomes.
  • Access to mental health care for underserved communities.
  • Cultural competence in treatment.
  • Combatting stigma in diverse populations.
  • LGBTQ+ mental health rights.
  • Intersectionality in mental health.
  • Indigenous mental health and decolonization efforts.
  • Advocating for equitable mental health policies.
  • Environmental justice and mental well-being.
  • Trauma-informed care in justice systems.
  • Refugee and immigrant mental health challenges.
  • Disability justice and mental health inclusion.
  • Gender equity in mental health services.
  • Ethics in global mental health initiatives.
  • Mental health impact of incarceration.
  • Community-based mental health support.
  • Anti-oppressive practices in mental health care.
  • Ensuring justice in psychiatric care.

Mental Health Counseling Research Topics

  • Online counseling effectiveness.
  • Technology integration in counseling.
  • Cultural competence in therapy.
  • Group therapy outcomes.
  • Burnout prevention for counselors.
  • Rapport and therapeutic success.
  • Expressive arts therapy in counseling.
  • Teletherapy benefits and challenges.
  • Trauma-informed counseling effectiveness.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy outcomes.
  • Spirituality in counseling.
  • Mindfulness techniques in therapy.
  • Counselor training impact.
  • Narrative therapy effectiveness.
  • Cultural humility in counseling.
  • Animal-assisted therapy in counseling.
  • Family systems theory application.
  • Solution-focused brief therapy outcomes.
  • Counselor self-disclosure impact.
  • Ethical considerations in counseling.

Mental Health Research Topics on Behavioral Issues

  • Childhood trauma and adult behavioral issues.
  • Parenting styles and child behavior.
  • Peer influence on adolescent behavior.
  • Substance abuse and behavioral disorders.
  • ADHD and conduct disorder.
  • Aggression reduction interventions.
  • Genetics and behavioral issues.
  • Early intervention for behavioral problems.
  • Media violence and child aggression.
  • Screen time and adolescent behavior.
  • Socioeconomic status and behavioral disorders.
  • School environments and behavior.
  • Sleep disturbances and behavior.
  • Trauma-informed care impact.
  • Mindfulness for disruptive behavior.
  • Nutrition and child behavior.
  • Attachment theory and behavior.
  • Adverse childhood experiences and behavior.
  • Technology addiction and behavior.
  • Family therapy for behavioral problems.

If you haven’t decided which medical career path to choose, we suggest pursuing a healthcare management degree .

Mental Health Research Topic Checklist

Determining if your mental health research topic is great involves assessing several key aspects:

  • Relevance: Is it timely and aligned with current mental health issues?
  • Significance: Does it address important questions or challenges?
  • Originality: Does it offer new insights or perspectives?
  • Feasibility: Can it be researched effectively, given available resources?
  • Interest: Are you genuinely passionate about the topic?
  • Impact: Will it advance knowledge, inform practice, or influence policy?
  • Clarity : Is the research question clear and well-defined?

mental health research topics

By the way, we have discovered the best mental health app , which can be a source of inspiration for your research.

How to Choose Research Topics About Mental Health

Choosing research topics about mental health involves a thoughtful process. Here are some steps to guide you:

  • Identify your interests

Start by reflecting on your interests within the broad field of mental health. What topics resonate with you personally or professionally? Consider areas you are passionate about or curious to learn more about.

  • Review existing literature

Conduct a literature review to explore current research in mental health. Identify gaps, controversies, or areas where further investigation is needed. Look for topics that have sufficient existing research but still offer room for new insights or perspectives.

  • Consider societal relevance

Think about the societal relevance and impact of potential research topics. Consider issues that are timely, pressing, or have practical implications for individuals, communities, or policymakers.

  • Assess feasibility

Evaluate the feasibility of researching each topic. Consider factors such as access to data, resources, ethical considerations, and your expertise or skills. Choose a topic that you can realistically investigate within the constraints of your research context.

Final Thought

Studying mental health in college is important because it helps students learn how our minds work and handle our mental well-being. It also teaches us to understand and support others who may be going through tough times. 

By studying mental health, students can gain insights into the different factors that affect our mental well-being, like biology, emotions, relationships, and environment. To become a medical aid professional, you should also learn about the healthcare consultant requirements . 

Need a Good Mental Health Research Topic?

Let our experts brainstorm a great topic and deliver a tailored paper overnight!

How to Do Research in Mental Health?

What are the research topics for mental health of students, what are some good mental health topics.

Adam Jason

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

research titles examples about mental health

  • Research Projects | Centre for Global Mental Health . (n.d.). Centre for Global Mental Health. https://www.centreforglobalmentalhealth.org/research-projects  
  • Health Topics . (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics  
  • Mental Health research topics . (2023, July 26). https://www.otago.ac.nz/mental-health-research/topics  

Science Fair Project Ideas

research titles examples about mental health

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The Top 10 Most Interesting Mental Health Research Topics

In the United States, the majority of people have been diagnosed with at least one mental disorder. Once considered shameful, mental health issues are now being discussed more openly through various online platforms, such as the best mental health podcasts and blogs, which have made information more accessible. As a result, more people are seeking forms of mental healthcare and researchers are learning even more.

While research on mental health has come a long way, there is still a long way to go in destigmatizing mental health conditions and spreading mental health awareness. If you are looking for mental health research paper topics and are struggling to narrow down your list, take a look at the top 10 most interesting mental health research topics to help get you started.

Find your bootcamp match

What makes a strong mental health research topic.

The best way for you to develop a strong mental health research topic is by first having a specific and well-defined area of interest. Your research topic should provide a clear and simple roadmap to help you focus your research paper. Additionally, consider your audience and the topic’s significance within the mental health field. What does it contribute?

Tips for Choosing a Mental Health Research Topic

  • Choose a topic that is interesting to you. You may be writing to share your findings with your peers, but your topic should excite you first and foremost. You will spend a significant amount of time on it, so it should be work you are eager to dive into.
  • Choose a fresh approach. There is an extensive amount of mental health research conducted by mental health professionals. Use your research skills to choose a topic that does more than just restate the same facts and information. Say something that hasn’t been said before.
  • Choose a topic that matters. The topic you choose should make a contribution to all the mental health education and research that already exists. Approach your topic in a way that ensures that it’s of significance within the field.
  • Choose a topic that challenges you. A sure-fire way to find out if your topic meets the criteria of being interesting, fresh, and significant, is if it challenges you. If it’s too easy, then there must be enough research available on it. If it’s too difficult, it’s likely unmanageable.
  • Choose a topic that’s manageable. You should aim to choose a topic that is narrow enough in its focus that it doesn’t overwhelm you. Consider what’s feasible for you to dedicate to the research in terms of resources and time.

What’s the Difference Between a Research Topic and a Research Question?

The purpose of a research topic is to let the reader know what specific area of mental health research your paper will focus on. It is the territory upon which your research paper is based. Defining your topic is typically the initial step of any research project.

A research question, on the other hand, narrows down the scope of your research and provides a framework for the study and its objectives. It is based on the research topic and written in the form of a question that the research paper aims to answer. It provides the reader with a clear idea of what’s to be expected from the research.

How to Create Strong Mental Health Research Questions

To create a strong research question, you need to consider what will help guide the direction your research takes. It is an important part of the process and requires strong research methods . A strong research question clearly defines your work’s specific focus and lets your audience know exactly what question you intend to answer through your research.

Top 10 Mental Health Research Paper Topics

1. the effects of social media platforms on the mental well-being of children.

The effects of social media platforms on the mental well-being of children is a research topic that is especially significant and relevant today. This is due to the increasing usage of online social networks by children and adolescents. Evidence shows a correlation between social media usage and increased self-harming behaviors, anxiety, and psychological distress.

2. The Psychology of Gender Identity, Inclusivity, and Diversity

With the conversations surrounding gender and identity in recent times, a research topic on the psychology of gender identity, inclusivity, and diversity is a good option. Our understanding of gender now, in the 21st century, has evolved and gender identity has become non-binary, more inclusive, and more diverse.

3. The Psychological Effects of Social Phobia on Undergraduate Students

Some of the most common mental illnesses in the United States are phobias, so the topic of the psychology and effects of phobias is interesting and relevant to the majority of people. There are various categories of phobias that have been identified by the American Psychiatric Association that you could choose to focus on.

4. Eating Disorders Among Teenagers and Adolescents

Eating disorders among teenagers and adolescents in the United States are prevalent, especially among young women. The statistics surrounding mental health issues show that 10 in 100 young women suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, as well as a preoccupation with food and body dysmorphia.

5. The Correlation Between Childhood Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Problems in Adulthood

When groups of people with learning disorders (LD) were compared with groups that had no known history of LD, a correlation between childhood LD and mental health issues in adulthood was found. This research is important because it helps us to understand how childhood LD increases mental health risks in adulthood and affects emotional development.

6. How Mental Disorder is Glamorized and Sensationalized in Modern Media

Shows and movies centered around the depiction of mental illness have become more popular in recent years. The portrayal of characters with mental illnesses can often be damaging and fail to take into account the complexities of mental disorders, which often leads to stigmatization and discrimination, and a reluctance to seek mental health care.

7. The Relationship Between Self-esteem and Suicide Rates Among Adolescents

A relationship between self-esteem and suicide rates among adolescents has been found when looking into their suicidal tendencies. This is more so the case with any individual who already suffers from a mental health issue. Low self-esteem has been linked to increased levels of depression and suicide ideation, leading to higher chances of suicide attempts among adolescents.

8. Destigmatizing Mental Illness and Mental Disorders

The rates at which people are diagnosed with mental illnesses are high. Even so, their portrayal in the media has resulted in the belief that those who suffer from a mental health issue or live in mental health facilities are dangerous. Conducting research on abnormal psychology topics and destigmatizing mental illness and mental disorders is important for mental health education.

9. Psychological Trauma and the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Mental health statistics show that most abuse happens in childhood, causing long-lasting psychological trauma. The type of trauma caused by child abuse and childhood sexual abuse affects development in infants and children. It has been linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, guilt, sexual issues, dissociative patterns, and relationship issues, to name a few.

10. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychological Well-Being

There is no doubt about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 confinement on psychological well-being. The threat to public health, the social and economic stresses, and the various reactions by governments and individuals have all caused unexpected mental health challenges. This has affected behaviors, perceptions, and the ways in which people make decisions.

Other Examples of Mental Health Research Topics and Questions

Mental health research topics.

  • How trauma affects emotional development in children
  • The impact of COVID-19 on college students
  • The mental effects of bullying
  • How the media influences aggression
  • A comparative analysis of the differences in mental health in women and mental health in men

Mental Health Research Questions

  • Are digital therapy sessions as impactful as face-to-face therapy sessions for patients?
  • What are the best methods for effectively using social media to unite and connect all those suffering from a mental health issue in order to reduce their isolation?
  • What causes self-destructive behavior in some children?
  • Can introducing mental health topics in the school curriculum help to create understanding and reduce the stigmatization of mental disorders?
  • What are the most effective methods to improve brain health and emotional intelligence as we go through the aging process?

Choosing the Right Mental Health Research Topic

When choosing the right mental health research question, it is essential to figure out what single issue you want to focus on within the broader topic of mental conditions. The narrower your scope, the easier it will be to conduct thorough and relevant research. Vagueness can lead to information overload and a lack of clear direction.

However, even though it needs to be specific, your research question must also be complex enough to allow you to develop your research. If it’s too narrow in its focus, you won’t give yourself enough room to flesh out your findings as you build on your research. The key is to find the middle ground between the two.

Mental Health Research Topics FAQ

A mental disorder refers to any of the various conditions that affect and alter our behavior, thoughts, and emotions. More than half of Americans get diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lives. They are common and manageable with the right support. Some mental illnesses are occasional, such as postpartum depression, while others are long-term, such as panic attacks.

Mental health research raises awareness of mental health disorders and promotes mental health care. It provides support and evidence for the effectiveness of mental health services and programs designed for psychiatric patients and those with mental health disorders. The information provided by the research helps us better understand mental illnesses and how best to approach treatment plans.

Behavioral health and emotional health are part of a person’s overall mental health since they are all interlinked and each one affects the other. When we speak of mental health, we are referring to behavioral, cognitive, and emotional well-being, which can also affect physical health.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the five main categories of mental illness include dementia, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, feeding and eating disorders, and personality disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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Mental health research paper topics

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Mental health research topics are becoming increasingly important in our society today. With the rise of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it is essential for students to understand the causes and effects of these conditions. Researching mental health can help us prevent and treat these illnesses before it's not too late.

That's why our paper writers curated this list compiling mental health research paper topics and ideas spanning various aspects. From psychological disorders to the role of society in mental health and therapeutic strategies, we covered 250 top mental health topics to write about. So, if you’re looking for help on starting your next mental health project, this list will provide you with the best ideas.

What Are Mental Health Research Topics?

Mental health research topics focus on understanding the causes, effects, and treatment of mental illnesses. It is important for students to explore these topics as they can help us understand how psychological disorders develop. This, in turn, allows us to optimize our treatment strategies. Researching mental health can also help us form healthier habits and lifestyles that promote positive mental health.

Characteristics of Good Mental Health Research Topics

How well you understand the theme characteristics can either make or break your research project. That's why, before you choose any mental health research topic, it is important to consider the features that make it good. Make sure your research topic about mental health meets the criteria listed below:

  • Relevant Give preference to topic ideas that are relevant to the current trends in society.
  • Interesting Find a topic you can approach from various angles while maintaining your engagement in research.
  • Feasible Ensure that the idea can be researched in a reasonable amount of time.
  • Original Try to pick between original mental health research questions and take a unique approach when investigating a certain aspect.
  • Accessible Make sure you have access to enough resources and data to complete your research.

How to Choose a Mental Health Research Topic?

Narrowing down your choices can be an intimidating process. To make it easier for you, we’ve rendered some secrets that will help you select the right research topic about mental health:

  • Brainstorm Try to come up with as many ideas as possible by writing them out on paper or creating a mind map.
  • Analyze your ideas Once you have a list of mental health project ideas, analyze each one and decide which ones are more appropriate for your research.
  • Explore further Certain topics may require extra research before settling on them. Make sure to look for relevant studies and determine whether you have enough time to run your research.
  • Seek consultation Sometimes you may just miss out something important. Discuss your ideas with your peers, professors, or online research paper writers to get constructive feedback.
  • Refine After getting input from others, polish your research topic idea further before committing to it.

Hopefully, these tips  will help you select the best research topics on mental health and start your exploration on the right note. Let’s now move forward to the actual ideas.

List of Mental Health Research Paper Topics

Below you will find a unique collection of hot mental health research paper topics. Designed to inspire students, budding researchers, and knowledge seekers, this list of ideas will surely be helpful.

  • The impact of socioeconomic status on mental health conditions.
  • Exploring the role of social media in mental illness.
  • Analyze how trauma affects mental health.
  • Investigating stress management strategies for anxiety disorders.
  • Impact of sleep disorders on mental health.
  • Art therapy: A non-traditional approach to emotional health.
  • The relationship between childhood trauma and adult mental health.
  • The role of genetics in mental health disorders.
  • Understanding the psychology of eating disorders.
  • The interplay of physical activity and mental health.
  • The psychological impact of chronic diseases.
  • Internet addiction and its psychological implications.
  • Comparative analysis of Western and Eastern mental health practices.
  • Suicide prevention strategies in youth.
  • The role of AI and technology in emotional health care.
  • A closer look at post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • The intersection of mental health and homelessness.
  • The efficacy of animal-assisted therapy in emotional wellbeing.
  • The role of culture in mental health treatment.
  • Exploring the link between mental illness and substance abuse.

Good Mental Health Research Topics

Below we’ve put together a list of good research topics about mental health worth your attention. Take a look and you may find the perfect topic to inspire your next project:

  • Nature vs. Nurture: The origins of emotional wellbeing disturbance.
  • Effectiveness of virtual therapy in treating depression.
  • Investigating anxiety management strategies through mindfulness.
  • Understanding the psychological effects of online harassment.
  • The growing mental health crisis in young adults.
  • Exploring the influence of family relationships on mental health.
  • Investigating the role of exercise in reducing stress.
  • How climate change influences emotional wellness.
  • Assessing the role of financial stress in psychological illness.
  • Examining the need for improving healthcare systems related to mental health.
  • The Influence of social media on teenage mental health.
  • Exploring the connection between mental illness and addiction.
  • Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating anxiety.
  • The impact of social isolation on mental wellness.
  • Understanding the impacts of racism on emotional wellbeing.

Interesting Mental Health Research Topics

Sometimes all you need is a spark of inspiration. If that’s the case for you, then take a look at these captivating topics about mental health:

  • Exploring the impacts of divorce on mental health.
  • Examining the role of good nutrition in emotional wellbeing.
  • An analysis of the impact of unemployment on mental illness.
  • Impact of taxation policies on emotional wellness.
  • Analyzing the role of online support groups in mental health care.
  • Investigating the stigma of mental health in universities.
  • The need for better communication strategies in treating psychological illness.
  • Analyze the impact of occupational stress on mental wellbeing.
  • Examine how social exclusion affects emotional wellness.
  • The growing need for mental health education in schools.
  • Understanding the importance of parental support for emotional stability.
  • The role of financial literacy in reducing psychological distress.
  • Investigating the effectiveness of aromatherapy for stress relief.
  • Analyzing the use of peer counseling in mental health care.
  • Exploring new technologies for mental health diagnosis.

Unique Mental Health Research Topics

Ready for something more authentic? Take a look at these research paper topics about mental health and give them your best shot:

  • Examining the need for gender-sensitive mental health care.
  • Exploring the impacts of physical disability on emotional wellbeing.
  • The use of digital technology for mental health awareness.
  • Analyzing the impact of video gaming on psychological health.
  • Exploring the efficacy of yoga and meditation in treating depression.
  • The importance of early identification and treatment of mental illness.
  • Examining the need for mental health support among LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Are alternative therapies effective in treating distress?
  • Exploring the links between pet ownership and emotional stability.
  • Use of music therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
  • Exploring the psychological effects of noise pollution.
  • Investigating the effectiveness of online forums in emotional health therapy.
  • Examining the impacts of aging on mental health.
  • How does cognitive restructuring benefit emotional wellbeing?
  • The role of herbal remedies in managing psychological distress.

Best Mental Health Research Topics

Are you looking for the very best mental health topics for research papers or projects? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at these amazing ideas to get inspired:

  • The need for social acceptance in treating psychological disorders.
  • How do friendships help in managing stress?
  • How can virtual reality be used in mental health care?
  • How does religion impact psychological well being?
  • How economic policies affect psychological stability?
  • Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global mental health.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder in military personnel.
  • Cyberbullying and its effect on adolescent peace of mind.
  • Benefits and challenges of teletherapy in emotional stability recovery.
  • Understanding and managing self-harm behaviors.
  • Examining the need for mental health support at the workplace.
  • Exploring the relationship between sleep deprivation and mental health.
  • Negative impact of toxic relationships on emotional wellness.
  • Importance of creating a supportive environment for psychological well being.
  • Benefits of self-care for emotional wellness.

Controversial Mental Health Research Topics

The mental health research topics below are sure to spark some debate. If you’re browsing for debatable argumentative paper topics or project on mental health, take a look at these themes:

  • Investigating the role of propaganda in creating mental health stigmas.
  • Exploring the impact of false news and its influence on mental wellbeing.
  • The need for mental health awareness campaigns in the media.
  • Medical marijuana and emotional stability: beneficial or harmful?
  • Forced hospitalization in psychiatry: necessity or violation of rights?
  • Is suicide representation in media preventive or harmful?
  • The "Anti-Vax" Movement's impact on public mental health.
  • The use of electroconvulsive therapy in modern psychiatry.
  • Does ADHD overdiagnosis contribute to misunderstood child behavior?
  • Are personality disorders just extreme versions of normal personality traits?
  • Is there a connection between mental health and gun control laws?
  • The validity of self-diagnosis in mental health: empowering or harmful?
  • Controversy over the DSM-5's expanding definition of mental illness.
  • How does political instability affect emotional wellbeing?
  • Investigating the effectiveness of government policies in mental health care.

Research Questions About Mental Health

Mental health research questions are key in helping you focus on the right topics when writing a dissertation or any other capstone project. Here are a few examples to get started:

  • How do parenting styles affect children’s emotional stability?
  • How does a positive self-image contribute to mental health resilience?
  • Can a supportive community significantly mitigate the symptoms of mental disorders?
  • Is there a correlation between high academic pressure and mental health disorders in students?
  • How can workplace policies be improved to better support employee wellbeing?
  • How does exposure to nature influence mental well-being?
  • How do personal belief systems and religion influence attitudes towards psychiatric disorders?
  • Can implementing a regular digital detox improve the state of mind?
  • How do life-changing events, such as migration or job loss, impact our emotional health?
  • What role do hormones play in mood disorders?
  • What are the psychological effects of long-term unemployment?
  • How does grief affect mental health, and how can it be managed effectively?
  • How does living in an urban vs. rural environment impact emotional health?
  • How do microaggressions in daily life contribute to stress and mental health disorders?
  • What is the impact of gender identity and sexual orientation on emotional wellbeing?

>> View more: Medical Research Paper Topics

Mental Health Research Topic Ideas for Students

Covering a broad spectrum of themes, our list aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multidimensional aspects of mental health. These mental health topics for students can foster critical thinking and bring about scholarly conversations.

Mental Health Research Topics for High School

Hover over these interesting mental health research topics for high school students to find a fitting idea.

  • The influence of social media on teen mental health.
  • How does school environment influence a student's state of mind?
  • The role of peer pressure in psychiatric issues among teens.
  • The psychological impact of body image and self-esteem issues.
  • Mental health implications of academic stress and burnout.
  • The role of counseling in schools for mental health support.
  • Understanding eating disorders in adolescence.
  • The impact of parental emotional stability on adolescents.
  • What are the most effective ways of reducing student stress and anxiety?
  • Can social media platforms be used to promote positive mental health messages?
  • How can parents identify childhood depression and anxiety in their children?
  • Enhancing social and emotional skills in high school students.
  • Mindfulness and stress reduction techniques for high school students.
  • How does physical activity impact mental health in teenagers?

Mental Health Research Topics for College Students

Take a look at this collection of research paper topics on mental health for college students to find the one that suits your needs.

  • The impact of chronic stress on physical and psychological health.
  • Addressing mental illness stigma among university students.
  • What are the most effective methods for reducing anxiety in college students?
  • Examining the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for mental health disorders.
  • Risk factors and triggers that contribute to depression in higher education settings.
  • Exploring the relationship between academic performance and psychological health.
  • The influence of online communication on student’s emotional wellbeing.
  • How can university professors promote mental health awareness among their students?
  • Benefits of cognitive behavior therapy for college students.
  • What are the most effective ways to prevent suicidal ideation in college students?
  • Role-playing games as a therapeutic approach to emotional disorders.
  • Intersectional approaches to mental health: gender, race and ethnicity.
  • The link between drug and alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder.
  • Does cultural awareness influence the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders?
  • Investigating the role of technology in deteriorating mental health among young people.

Mental Health Research Topics and Ideas Worth Considering

Here, you'll find worthy research paper ideas on mental health focusing on different aspects. From understanding how our minds and bodies connect, to looking at the impact of society, and even studying new therapies, we've got a range of mental health research ideas for you.

Mental Illness Research Paper Topics

This selection covers an array of mental illness ideas focusing on various disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options. They are ideal for students and researchers looking to broaden their knowledge.

  • How complex is dissociative identity disorder and what factors contribute to its development?
  • What role does trauma play in the development of borderline personality disorder?
  • What are the implications of long-term antidepressant use in major depressive disorder?
  • How do psychiatric service dogs impact the management of post-traumatic stress disorder?
  • Which psychotherapeutic approaches are effective in managing schizophrenia?
  • Does eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) effectively treat trauma?
  • How does family therapy contribute to the management of anorexia nervosa?
  • What are the neuroscientific insights into bipolar disorder?
  • How do socioeconomic factors influence major depressive disorder?
  • What are the mechanisms behind selective mutism in children?
  • To what extent does genetics contribute to autism spectrum disorder?
  • Psychodynamics of narcissistic personality disorder.
  • Implications of stigma in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.
  • Is there a link between childhood abuse and dissociative disorders that warrants exploration?
  • What impact does neurofeedback training have on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

Research Topics on Mental Health Counseling

This collection of research topics for mental health focuses on the various aspects of counseling, from psychological theories to practical approaches.

  • How important is cultural sensitivity in therapy and its impact on treatment outcomes?
  • What ethical dilemmas arise in therapy, particularly concerning privacy and confidentiality?
  • What is the role of positive psychology in therapeutic practices and its impact on well-being?
  • Does therapists' mental health influence the outcomes of their clients?
  • What are the methods and benefits of group therapy?
  • Can cognitive behavioral therapy effectively manage panic disorders?
  • Why is self-care important for therapists and how does it impact their work?
  • How does counselor bias affect mental health therapy outcomes?
  • The use of dialectical behavior therapy in addressing emotional instability.
  • How does play therapy support children's mental health?
  • What are the unique challenges in providing therapy for veterans with PTSD?
  • Can family systems therapy serve as a panacea for family-related issues?
  • How effective is grief counseling in helping individuals cope with bereavement?
  • What is the power of storytelling in emotional health care and its impact?
  • How effective is solution-focused brief therapy in achieving quick emotional recovery?

Young Mothers Mental Health Research Topics

This selection of research ideas about mental health covers how young mothers navigate the physical, psychological and social changes.

  • What are the unique mental health challenges faced by teenage mothers?
  • How does postpartum depression impact parenting and mother-child bond?
  • The effects of poverty on young maternal mental health.
  • Examining the effects of early adolescent pregnancy on social relationships.
  • What coping strategies can be used to address stress among young mothers?
  • Can breastfeeding serve as a protective factor against postpartum depression?
  • The correlation between exercise and mental health among young mothers.
  • What role do support networks play in assisting young mothers to access mental health services?
  • How does becoming a mother affect the identity of teenage girls?
  • Exploring the link between single parenthood and adolescent mental health.
  • What psychological interventions are effective in improving the mental health of young mothers?
  • What role does childcare play in supporting mental wellbeing among young mothers
  • Investigating the link between socioeconomic status and maternal depression among teenage mothers.
  • What role does health education play in improving the mental health of young mothers?
  • Are there any long-term effects of postpartum depression on child development?

Research Topics in Mental Health Nursing

Are you looking for good research topics on mental health nursing? Don't miss out on these ideas. Below you will find an idea or two in this direction.

  • How does nurse-patient relationships impact mental health recovery?
  • What is the role of psychiatric nurses in de-escalating crisis situations?
  • Ethical dilemmas faced by mental health nurses.
  • Stress and burnout among mental health nurses: Causes and coping strategies.
  • Are mental health nursing interventions effective for patients with PTSD?
  • Psychiatric nurses' role in managing patients with dual diagnosis.
  • Enhancing communication skills in mental health nursing.
  • Mental health nursing practices in pediatric care.
  • The role of nurses in suicide prevention and postvention.
  • Challenges in providing culturally sensitive care in mental health nursing.
  • The impact of mental health nurses in reducing hospital readmission rates.
  • The integration of telepsychiatry into nursing practice.
  • Training needs and professional development for nurses.
  • The efficacy of trauma-informed care in nursing.
  • Transition challenges for mental health nurses from inpatient to community care.

>> Read more: Nursing Research Topics

Mental Health Law Research Topics

Are you searching for some interesting research topics in mental health law? Here are a few ideas that could help you narrow down your focus.

  • The implications of involuntary commitment laws on civil rights.
  • Should mental health treatment be legally mandated for those deemed dangerous?
  • What are the legal safeguards when interpreting informed consent in psychiatric hospitals?
  • How can legal systems address violence risk assessment and management?
  • Exploring the ethical dilemmas behind forced medication in a psychiatric hospital.
  • Should involuntary commitment laws be amended to include substance use disorders?
  • What role does the Mental Health Act play in safeguarding the rights of patients?
  • Can therapeutic jurisprudence provide a viable solution for mental health law reform?
  • The implications of the Mental Capacity Act on decision-making and autonomy.
  • Analysis of consent capacity assessments in mental health law.
  • The role of civil commitment laws in improving access to treatment and care.
  • Mental health law provisions for those with chronic or terminal illnesses.
  • How does criminal justice reform help reduce the number of mentally ill inmates?
  • What are the legal considerations for ensuring patient confidentiality in mental health?
  • Does the Mental Health Act adequately protect the rights of young adults?

>> Read more: Legal Research Paper Topics

Mental Health Research Topics on Behavioral Issues

If you're browsing for mental health topics to research behavioral issues, here are a few titles that could help get you started.

  • The role of emotions in decision-making and behavior.
  • Exploring the link between impulsivity and depression.
  • How does stress-coping impact emotion regulation abilities?
  • Examining the impact of cognitive distortions on behavioral responses.
  • The role of metacognition in addressing anxiety and depression.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of anger management interventions.
  • The impact of social media on self-esteem and behavior.
  • How can parents encourage healthy coping strategies in children?
  • Examining the role of reward systems for enhancing motivation.
  • How do family dynamics influence behavior problems?
  • The implications of trauma on behavior and emotion regulation.
  • Exploring the link between sleep habits and behavior problems.
  • Can mindfulness be an effective tool to reduce aggressive behavior?
  • What strategies can be used to manage impulsivity?
  • Can virtual reality serve as a cognitive-behavioral therapy tool?

Extra Mental Health Research Topics

The following list features unique research topic ideas on mental health that are less explored but equally important. Whether you're seasoned or a beginner in mental health research, these ideas are sure to spark engaging conversations and deepen your understanding. So, let's dive in and explore these intriguing aspects in this direction together.

Psychiatry Research Topics

The collection below spotlights a wide range of subjects, from understanding psychiatric disorders to exploring advanced treatment methods. It's an excellent resource for anyone interested in diving deeper into this intriguing medical specialty. Get ready to immerse yourself in these psychiatric research topics and contribute to the field.

  • The effects of combining psychotherapy with medication for the treatment of depression.
  • Exploring the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating bipolar disorder.
  • What role do genetics play in the development of schizophrenia?
  • Examining the long-term impact of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
  • The use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of mental illness.
  • Can mindfulness be an effective tool for treating anxiety?
  • The efficacy of virtual reality (VR) therapy in treating phobias.
  • What role do diet and nutrition play in managing psychiatric disorders?
  • The use of telepsychiatry to improve access to care.
  • How do brain activity and behavior interact in psychiatric disorders?
  • Exploring the role of technology in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
  • What is the role of childcare in supporting mental wellbeing among young mothers?
  • How does early childhood development influence mental health later in life?
  • The importance of social connectedness for psychological well being.
  • Exploring how cultural beliefs and practices influence mental health.

>> Read more: Psychology Research Paper Topics

Research Topics on Mental Disorder

This list of research topics regarding mental health disorders provides an exciting opportunity to explore the underlying causes, symptoms, and treatments for a wide range of psychological issues. Let's take a closer look at these compelling research topics in mental health.

  • What are the risk factors and warning signs of bipolar disorder?
  • How can family therapy be used to support children with autism?
  • Exploring differences in diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia between men and women.
  • The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Examining the impact of trauma on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • What role do environmental factors play in determining vulnerability to depression?
  • Neuroimaging research on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
  • Can virtual reality (VR) therapy be used to treat anxiety disorders?
  • Identifying the most effective psychotherapeutic approaches for treating borderline personality disorder.
  • Analysis of the role of medication in treating eating disorders.
  • The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in managing gambling addiction.
  • Exploring the use of music therapy for symptoms of psychosis.
  • What are the best practices for supporting individuals with dissociative identity disorder?
  • What role does lifestyle play in managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
  • The potential of exercise and nutrition in preventing dementia.

Bottom Line on Research Topics About Mental Health

We did our best to provide you with exciting mental health research topics. No matter which topic you choose, make sure it resonates with your interests and provides new insights. Once you select a fitting idea, make sure to check how to write a research paper to nail your task.

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61 intriguing psychology research topics to explore

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Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Psychology is an incredibly diverse, critical, and ever-changing area of study in the medical and health industries. Because of this, it’s a common area of study for students and healthcare professionals.

We’re walking you through picking the perfect topic for your upcoming paper or study. Keep reading for plenty of example topics to pique your interest and curiosity.

  • How to choose a psychology research topic

Exploring a psychology-based topic for your research project? You need to pick a specific area of interest to collect compelling data. 

Use these tips to help you narrow down which psychology topics to research:

Focus on a particular area of psychology

The most effective psychological research focuses on a smaller, niche concept or disorder within the scope of a study. 

Psychology is a broad and fascinating area of science, including everything from diagnosed mental health disorders to sports performance mindset assessments. 

This gives you plenty of different avenues to explore. Having a hard time choosing? Check out our list of 61 ideas further down in this article to get started.

Read the latest clinical studies

Once you’ve picked a more niche topic to explore, you need to do your due diligence and explore other research projects on the same topic. 

This practice will help you learn more about your chosen topic, ask more specific questions, and avoid covering existing projects. 

For the best results, we recommend creating a research folder of associated published papers to reference throughout your project. This makes it much easier to cite direct references and find inspiration down the line.

Find a topic you enjoy and ask questions

Once you’ve spent time researching and collecting references for your study, you finally get to explore. 

Whether this research project is for work, school, or just for fun, having a passion for your research will make the project much more enjoyable. (Trust us, there will be times when that is the only thing that keeps you going.) 

Now you’ve decided on the topic, ask more nuanced questions you might want to explore. 

If you can, pick the direction that interests you the most to make the research process much more enjoyable.

  • 61 psychology topics to research in 2024

Need some extra help starting your psychology research project on the right foot? Explore our list of 61 cutting-edge, in-demand psychology research topics to use as a starting point for your research journey.

  • Psychology research topics for university students

As a university student, it can be hard to pick a research topic that fits the scope of your classes and is still compelling and unique. 

Here are a few exciting topics we recommend exploring for your next assigned research project:

Mental health in post-secondary students

Seeking post-secondary education is a stressful and overwhelming experience for most students, making this topic a great choice to explore for your in-class research paper. 

Examples of post-secondary mental health research topics include:

Student mental health status during exam season

Mental health disorder prevalence based on study major

The impact of chronic school stress on overall quality of life

The impacts of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can occur at all ages, starting as early as elementary school and carrying through into professional workplaces. 

Examples of cyberbullying-based research topics you can study include:

The impact of cyberbullying on self-esteem

Common reasons people engage in cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying themes and commonly used terms

Cyberbullying habits in children vs. adults

The long-term effects of cyberbullying

  • Clinical psychology research topics

If you’re looking to take a more clinical approach to your next project, here are a few topics that involve direct patient assessment for you to consider:

Chronic pain and mental health

Living with chronic pain dramatically impacts every aspect of a person’s life, including their mental and emotional health. 

Here are a few examples of in-demand pain-related psychology research topics:

The connection between diabetic neuropathy and depression

Neurological pain and its connection to mental health disorders

Efficacy of meditation and mindfulness for pain management

The long-term effects of insomnia

Insomnia is where you have difficulty falling or staying asleep. It’s a common health concern that impacts millions of people worldwide. 

This is an excellent topic because insomnia can have a variety of causes, offering many research possibilities. 

Here are a few compelling psychology research topics about insomnia you could investigate:

The prevalence of insomnia based on age, gender, and ethnicity

Insomnia and its impact on workplace productivity

The connection between insomnia and mental health disorders

Efficacy and use of melatonin supplements for insomnia

The risks and benefits of prescription insomnia medications

Lifestyle options for managing insomnia symptoms

The efficacy of mental health treatment options

Management and treatment of mental health conditions is an ever-changing area of study. If you can witness or participate in mental health therapies, this can make a great research project. 

Examples of mental health treatment-related psychology research topics include:

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with severe anxiety

The benefits and drawbacks of group vs. individual therapy sessions

Music therapy for mental health disorders

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with depression 

  • Controversial psychology research paper topics

If you are looking to explore a more cutting-edge or modern psychology topic, you can delve into a variety of controversial and topical options:

The impact of social media and digital platforms

Ever since access to internet forums and video games became more commonplace, there’s been growing concern about the impact these digital platforms have on mental health. 

Examples of social media and video game-related psychology research topics include:

The effect of edited images on self-confidence

How social media platforms impact social behavior

Video games and their impact on teenage anger and violence

Digital communication and the rapid spread of misinformation

The development of digital friendships

Psychotropic medications for mental health

In recent years, the interest in using psychoactive medications to treat and manage health conditions has increased despite their inherently controversial nature. 

Examples of psychotropic medication-related research topics include:

The risks and benefits of using psilocybin mushrooms for managing anxiety

The impact of marijuana on early-onset psychosis

Childhood marijuana use and related prevalence of mental health conditions

Ketamine and its use for complex PTSD (C-PTSD) symptom management

The effect of long-term psychedelic use and mental health conditions

  • Mental health disorder research topics

As one of the most popular subsections of psychology, studying mental health disorders and how they impact quality of life is an essential and impactful area of research. 

While studies in these areas are common, there’s always room for additional exploration, including the following hot-button topics:

Anxiety and depression disorders

Anxiety and depression are well-known and heavily researched mental health disorders. 

Despite this, we still don’t know many things about these conditions, making them great candidates for psychology research projects:

Social anxiety and its connection to chronic loneliness

C-PTSD symptoms and causes

The development of phobias

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) behaviors and symptoms

Depression triggers and causes

Self-care tools and resources for depression

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in particular age groups or geographic areas

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex and multi-faceted area of psychology research. 

Use your research skills to learn more about this condition and its impact by choosing any of the following topics:

Early signs of bipolar disorder

The incidence of bipolar disorder in young adults

The efficacy of existing bipolar treatment options

Bipolar medication side effects

Cognitive behavioral therapy for people with bipolar 

Schizoaffective disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is often stigmatized, and less common mental health disorders are a hotbed for new and exciting research. 

Here are a few examples of interesting research topics related to this mental health disorder:

The prevalence of schizoaffective disorder by certain age groups or geographic locations

Risk factors for developing schizoaffective disorder

The prevalence and content of auditory and visual hallucinations

Alternative therapies for schizoaffective disorder

  • Societal and systematic psychology research topics

Modern society’s impact is deeply enmeshed in our mental and emotional health on a personal and community level. 

Here are a few examples of societal and systemic psychology research topics to explore in more detail:

Access to mental health services

While mental health awareness has risen over the past few decades, access to quality mental health treatment and resources is still not equitable. 

This can significantly impact the severity of a person’s mental health symptoms, which can result in worse health outcomes if left untreated. 

Explore this crucial issue and provide information about the need for improved mental health resource access by studying any of the following topics:

Rural vs. urban access to mental health resources

Access to crisis lines by location

Wait times for emergency mental health services

Inequities in mental health access based on income and location

Insurance coverage for mental health services

Systemic racism and mental health

Societal systems and the prevalence of systemic racism heavily impact every aspect of a person’s overall health.

Researching these topics draws attention to existing problems and contributes valuable insights into ways to improve access to care moving forward.

Examples of systemic racism-related psychology research topics include: 

Access to mental health resources based on race

The prevalence of BIPOC mental health therapists in a chosen area

The impact of systemic racism on mental health and self-worth

Racism training for mental health workers

The prevalence of mental health disorders in discriminated groups

LGBTQIA+ mental health concerns

Research about LGBTQIA+ people and their mental health needs is a unique area of study to explore for your next research project. It’s a commonly overlooked and underserved community.

Examples of LGBTQIA+ psychology research topics to consider include:

Mental health supports for queer teens and children

The impact of queer safe spaces on mental health

The prevalence of mental health disorders in the LGBTQIA+ community

The benefits of queer mentorship and found family

Substance misuse in LQBTQIA+ youth and adults

  • Collect data and identify trends with Dovetail

Psychology research is an exciting and competitive study area, making it the perfect choice for projects or papers.

Take the headache out of analyzing your data and instantly access the insights you need to complete your next psychology research project by teaming up with Dovetail today.

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Mental Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focuses and Trends

Yaodong liang.

1 Law School, Changsha University, Changsha, China

2 Department of Psychology, University of Toronto St. George, Toronto, ON, Canada

3 Centre for Mental Health and Education, Central South University, Changsha, China

Associated Data

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced the world. In wave after wave, many countries suffered from the pandemic, which caused social instability, hindered global growth, and harmed mental health. Although research has been published on various mental health issues during the pandemic, some profound effects on mental health are difficult to observe and study thoroughly in the short term. The impact of the pandemic on mental health is still at a nascent stage of research. Based on the existing literature, we used bibliometric tools to conduct an overall analysis of mental health research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers from universities, hospitals, communities, and medical institutions around the world used questionnaire surveys, telephone-based surveys, online surveys, cross-sectional surveys, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and systematic umbrella reviews as their research methods. Papers from the three academic databases, Web of Science (WOS), ProQuest Academic Database (ProQuest), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were included. Their previous research results were systematically collected, sorted, and translated and CiteSpace 5.1 and VOSviewers 1.6.13 were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of them.

Authors with papers in this field are generally from the USA, the People's Republic of China, the UK, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are the top three institutions in terms of the production of research papers on the subject. The University of Toronto, Columbia University, and the University of Melbourne played an important role in the research of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers of related research papers in the USA and China are significantly larger than those in the other countries, while co-occurrence centrality indexes in Germany, Italy, England, and Canada may be higher.

We found that the most mentioned keywords in the study of mental health research during the COVID-19 pandemic can be divided into three categories: keywords that represent specific groups of people, that describe influences and symptoms, and that are related to public health policies. The most-cited issues were about medical staff, isolation, psychological symptoms, telehealth, social media, and loneliness. Protection of the youth and health workers and telemedicine research are expected to gain importance in the future.

Introduction

Although the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be recorded in human medical history and in socio-economic history, various psychological consequences regarding mental health among populations cannot be ignored, including stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, insomnia, and so on. Researchers from universities, hospitals, communities, and medical institutions worldwide have been focusing on mental health problems during the pandemic. They have used questionnaire surveys, telephone-based surveys, online surveys, cross-sectional surveys, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, and systematic umbrella reviews to investigate mental health problems during the pandemic. Two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19, the pandemic has gradually subsided in some countries, while others have adopted a strategy of coexisting with the virus. If more deadly mutant strains do not appear in the future, it is very likely that the pandemic will not climax again. It is pertinent to summarize and study mental health research during the pandemic, because many psychological problems have arisen as a result, and there has been significant interest in research on such issues in the previous two years.

As an effective quantitative analysis method, bibliometrics can be used not only to assess the quality and quantity of published papers, but also to explore research focuses and trends, the distribution of authors and institutions, the impact of publications, journals, and different countries regarding research contributions to the theme. Due to the rapid growth in research in this area, there are now over 1,000 academic papers, and accordingly, it would appear necessary to investigate important, valid, and meaningful information from large databases to guide scientific research. The authors used CiteSpace and VOSviewers to determine the focuses and trends in this regard.

Data Analysis and Visualization

The authors searched the Web of Science (WOS), ProQuest Academic Database (ProQuest), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) to extract publications related to mental health and COVID-19. Their previous research results were systematically collected, sorted, and translated, and CiteSpace 5.1 and VOSviewers 1.6.13 were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of them.

Data Source and Search Strategy

Our team selected 1,226 papers from 2019 to 2022 using three combinations of keywords, mental health and COVID-19, mental health and new coronavirus, and mental health and novel coronavirus, from the three academic paper databases, WOS, ProQuest, and CNKI. Two explanations are necessary here, the first is about the keywords and the second is about the databases. (1) The reason we used new or novel coronavirus as keywords was that the name COVID-19 has not been determined about 2 years ago. In order not to miss relevant research results, we also included these synonyms as keywords for the search. (2) Among the three databases, WOS and ProQuest, in which most of the English-language papers were published, are well-known to scholars all around the world. However, the CNKI database is not as popular as WOS or ProQuest given that most of the papers in CNKI were published in Chinese. We chose to use the CNKI data for the following three reasons: first, China was the most affected country during the COVID-19 outbreak and Chinese academic journals published significant research on mental health. Second, CNKI is the largest Chinese academic database. Third, after the outbreak, the Chinese government's virus clearance policy has been implemented and continues to date. Strict control has helped suppress the spread of the virus, but has also likely had mental health implications, given the severe reduction in social interactions. Therefore, we think that the Chinese database is appropriate and useful in this study.

About 50% of the articles were from the WOS, about 10% of the articles from ProQuest, and about 40% from CNKI. Basic information such as title, author, institution, country, abstract, keywords, methods, results, and conclusions of all articles, if not in English, are translated into English and analyzed using SiteSpaceII and VOSviewers. Since the keywords include COVID-19 and mental health, synonyms such as novel coronavirus and psychological distress spontaneously appeared while searching. Words that are closely related to the subject, such as public health, quarantine, and insomnia, were most frequently mentioned.

Most articles were published during the period from February 2020 to July 2022, including those pre-published online from April to July, and only one article that had been published in 2019 was included. Judging from the line chart above, since the volume of COVID-19 and mental health-related articles had already risen two times in June 2020 and June 2021 and then remained low until now, it is high time to conclude a previous study on COVID-19 and mental health, to sort out the foci of those studies, and to analyze and predict future trends ( Figure 1 ).

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Object name is fpubh-10-895121-g0001.jpg

The volume of COVID-19 and mental health-related articles in 2020–2022.

Scholars from around the world have contributed to the study of mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The top 10 countries with the largest quantum of publications related to mental health during COVID-19 are the USA, People's Republic of China, England, Canada, Australia, India, Italy, Japan, Iran, and Germany. Wide and active participation of several countries has laid a solid foundation for its future development. Universities, hospitals, communities, and medical institutions around the world have conducted sample surveys of patients, students, community residents, medical workers, and other sample populations of considerable sample sizes since the outbreak. Survey and research methods include questionnaire survey, telephone-based survey, online survey, cross-sectional survey, systematic review and meta-analyses, and systematic umbrella review ( Table 1 ).

Top 20 countries.

1280USA1127Spain
2223China1226Brazil
385England1322Saudi Arabia
469Canada1419Pakistan
568Australia1518Turkey
654India1612Bangladesh
750Italy1711Sweden
841Japan1810Singapore
937Iran1810Poland
1027Germany209Malaysia

Most papers are from the USA, the People's Republic of China, England, Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, and Germany. Judging from the country or region co-occurrence graph, England and Canada are in the center of this graph, with India, Poland, Denmark, Spain, South Korea, Portugal, Italy, and Canada around them. England, Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil, India, Iran, and Germany have done significant research work in this field. In addition, the number of related research papers in the USA and China is significantly larger than that in all other countries ( Figure 2 ).

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Object name is fpubh-10-895121-g0002.jpg

Country or region co-occurrence.

In Table 2 , we can see that most names of the top 20 authors are Asian names, and they are mainly from China. Six of them published more than 10 articles by the end of 2021. In the extended ranking, we find that the authors who have published a large number of papers are generally from the USA, China, the UK, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. The authors Griffiths MD, Cheung T, Xiang Y, Lin C, Wang Y, and Zhang L were very active in this field of study.

Top 20 authors.

114Xiang YT77Zvolensky MJ
213Zhang L126Ng CH
213Wang Y126Pakpour AH
213Cheung T145Li W
511Li Y145Li X
511Griffiths MD145Garey L
77Li L145Zhong BL
77Zhang Y145Wang W
77Zhang Q145Yang Y
77Lin CY204Hu SH

In the abovementioned graphs, we can see six groups of related authors. The VOSviewer was used to describe the partnership between them. Though six colors were used to separate these groups, there were still lines connecting the groups to represent the partnership between them. We can take Cheung T and Xiang Y as the center of the largest group. Another group with Griffiths MD and Lin C as its center was also significant ( Figures 3 , ​ ,4 4 ).

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Author co-occurrence.

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Object name is fpubh-10-895121-g0004.jpg

Author co-occurrence groups.

The top five institutions are Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Columbia University, and the University of Toronto. Meanwhile, the top five institutions in centrality are the University of Macau, the University of Melbourne, Columbia University, Wuhan University, and the University of Toronto. It is worth mentioning that Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Wuhan University are located in the city of Wuhan, one of the areas most affected by the virus through the outbreak. The society and economy of the city temporarily stagnated at the time, and its medical system was once paralyzed. Eventually, Wuhan City's medical system was fully recovered. The University of Toronto, Columbia University, and the University of Melbourne have played an important role in the research of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Table 3 and Figure 5 ).

Top 20 institutions.

1250.18Huazhong University of Science and Technology
2250.14Hong Kong Polytechnic University
3210.12Shanghai Jiao Tong University
4190.56Columbia University
5180.44The University of Toronto
6160.61The University of Melbourne
7160.35Harvard Medical School
8140.78The University of Macau
9140.50Wuhan University
10130.12Kings College London
11130.01Capital Medical University
12120Nottingham Trent University
13110Peking University
14110.22New York University
15100.12Zhejiang University
16100The University of California Los Angeles
16100Sichuan University
1890.21Dalhousie University
1990Xi An Jiao Tong University
2080The University of Calgary

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Institutions' co-occurrence.

As can be seen in Figure 6 , Huazhong University of Science and Technology has led Chinese universities and research institutions, such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Peking University, in conducting research on COVID-19 and mental health. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Fudan University, and the University of Melbourne acted as bridges, connecting famous universities and research institutions in Europe, America, and other countries in the world, such as Kings College London and Harvard Medical School, to jointly study issues in this field. In particular, they conduct joint research, directly or indirectly, through Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which display the important communication and joint role of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

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Keyword clustering.

Judging from Table 4 , the most mentioned keywords, in addition to COVID-19 and mental health, can be roughly divided into three categories: (1) keywords representing specific groups of people, such as adolescents, young adults, doctors, nurses, medical staff, and healthcare workers; (2) keywords describing influences and symptoms, such as isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia; and (3) keywords related to public health policies, such as lockdown, social distancing, telehealth, telemedicine, and quarantine.

Keyword clustering I.

2270.54Mental health20200
160.1Psychological distress20200
160.41Fear20200
140Lockdown20200
130.1Healthcare worker20200
100Psychological impact20200
90Adolescent20210
70.06Social distancing20200
60Burnout20210
40Distress20210
40Stigma20200
40.05Social media20200
30Trauma20200
30COVID-1920200
20Spirituality20220
200.05Nurse20201
150.24Insomnia20201
140.46Medical staff20201
110.05Resilience20201
80.1Sleep20211
50Qualitative research20211
50Coping20211
50.1Coping strategy20211
40.15Perceived stress20211
40Prevalence20211
40Physician20211
130.16Telehealth20202
100.17Children20212
100.27Telemedicine20202
80.21Mental health service20202
70Quality of life20212
60COVID20202
60College student20212
50.21Coronavirus disease 201920202
40.05COVID1920202
30Viral infection20202
310.21Novel coronavirus20203
180.41Public health20203
90.03Infectious disease20203
80.12Mentalhealth20203
70.07Psychiatry20203
70Pandemics20203
30.03Young adult20203
30Risk communication20203
30COVID-19 outbreak20203
30.12Psychotherapy20203
1120.95Coronavirus20204
140.22Physical activity20204
90Meta-analysis20204
70.05University student20214
60.23Exercise20214
50.15Health20214
40Depressive symptom20214
40Attitude20214
30.05Health care worker20204
5371.08COVID-1920205
980.6Pandemic20205
190.15China20205
130.66Epidemic20205
110Social support20205
40Knowledge20205
30.05Psychological stress20205
30Psychological intervention20205
20.19Qualitative study20225
1060.72Anxiety20206
950.66Depression20206
570SARS-CoV-220206
540.61Stress20206
100Ptsd20216
60Outbreak20206
40Sleep quality20206
30.1Isolation20206
250Quarantine20207
210.1COVID-19 pandemic20207
130.78Loneliness20217
100Wellbeing20217
70.78Worry20217
20.2Youth20227
20Suicidal ideation20227
20.34Longitudinal20227

In Graph 7, we can judge that COVID-19, mental health, pandemic, and coronavirus are represented by larger red dots as their centrality indexes are naturally higher. In this bibliometric network map, other keywords emerged next to them and together formed this visualization bibliometric network. Occupational and sociodemographic characteristics are clustered together, while symptoms of mental health problems are clustered next to them. Specific groups of people and their typical symptoms and causes occupy certain areas on the map. For example, typical symptoms of university students and the possible causes of these symptoms are grouped together on the map. Similarly, quarantine policy and its influence are also classified in certain areas. In addition, research methods and solutions appeared sporadically on this map.

Table 5 shows eight groups of core keywords separated from keyword clustering I. Each of these groups contains three keywords, which proves that these keywords appear at the same time in a considerable part of the research, and are more closely related. Keyword ClusteringII cannot only present the outline of existing mental health research in academia, but also highlights the focus of research. In addition, SiteSpaceII and VOSviewers also gave us some clues about the research trends and further development.

Keyword clustering II.

0130.9182020QuarantineCOVID-19 pandemicPsychological distress
1100.9362020EpidemicTelehealthTelemedicine
2100.9252020NurseInsomniaMedical staff
390.7372020CoronavirusLockdownPhysical activity
490.8632020COVID-19Mental healthPandemic
580.9492020Novel coronavirusPublic healthMental health
670.8272020AnxietyDepressionStress
760.8872021LonelinessHealthUniversity student

Research Focuses

Medical staff.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems among populations, especially medical staff, patients with COVID-19, chronic disease patients, and isolated people. Doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have significantly higher rates of insomnia than other populations ( 1 ). The researchers obtained the relevant demographic data through the WeChat questionnaire survey. Questions in the questionnaire are related to insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms during the pandemic. Their research found that, since the outbreak, more than one-third of the medical staff suffered from symptoms of insomnia. Psychological intervention measures were necessary for those people ( 2 ). Research within medical institutions shows that the psychological pressure of medical staff in isolation wards was greater, but had also attracted greater attention from hospital administrators. The concern of hospital managers alleviated the pressure of medical staff to a certain extent. Further, concern for the public also reduced their psychological burden. In terms of anxiety about infection and fatigue factors, the research results showed that the psychological burden of nurses was heavier than that of doctors. Healthcare workers who lived with their own children showed more obvious fatigue and anxiety, which might be due to the fear of their children becoming infected. In terms of workload and work motivation, medical staff who have been working for more than 20 years have a heavier workload, but they can still maintain their enthusiasm to fight against the pandemic ( 3 ). Another survey showed that 73.4% of healthcare workers, mainly physicians, nurses, and auxiliary staff, reported post-traumatic stress symptoms during outbreaks, with symptoms persisting for up to 3 years in 10–40% of the cases. Depressive symptoms were reported in 27.5–50.7%, insomnia symptoms in 34–36.1%, and severe anxiety symptoms in 45% ( 4 ). A subgroup analysis revealed gender and occupational differences, with female health care practitioners and nurses exhibiting higher rates of affective symptoms compared to men and medical staff, respectively ( 5 ).

As a result, depressive symptoms (21%) and anxiety symptoms (19%) are higher during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous epidemiological data. About 16% of the subjects suffered from severe clinical insomnia during the lockdown. The pandemic and lockdown seemed to be particularly stressful for younger adults who were under 35 years old, women, people out of work, or those with low incomes ( 6 ). In the fight against the pandemic, China adopted measures to restrict population aggregation, such as the blockade of pandemic areas, individual patient isolation, and restrictions on the movement of people in non-pandemic areas. These measures effectively prevented the spread of the pandemic. At the same time, the use of health codes, grid-like community management, and the operational efficiency of infectious disease information networks have greatly improved. However, quarantine has also brought with it a number of problems, such as increasing psychological pressure on the population, affecting the daily lives of families, and hindering social and economic development ( 7 ). A large sample size study with wide coverage published in 2021 showed that young people quarantined at home in different provinces had different rates of anxiety and depression due to different severity of pandemic situations in different regions. The risk of anxiety and depression was statistically significantly higher in girls than in boys. The rate of anxiety and depression was affected by factors, such as gender, age, and area, as well as the existence of COVID-19 cases in the surrounding area ( 8 ).

Psychological Symptoms

The impact of the aforementioned isolation measures on mental health is only part of the impact of the COVID-19 on mental health. Psychological symptoms brought about by the pandemic have also been systematically sorted out by scholars. These studies show two clues. First, certain people have special psychological symptoms; second, psychological symptoms in different countries of the world are roughly the same. Several factors were associated with a higher risk of psychiatric symptoms or low psychological wellbeing, including female gender and poor self-related health ( 9 ). Relatively, severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress, and stress were reported in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Spain, Italy, Iran, the USA, Turkey, Nepal, and Denmark. Risk factors associated with measures of distress include female gender, younger age group, the presence of chronic or psychiatric illnesses, unemployment, student status, and frequent exposure to social media or news concerning COVID-19. The pandemic is associated with significant levels of psychological distress that, in many cases, will meet the threshold for clinical relevance. Mitigating the hazardous effects of COVID-19 on mental health is an international public health priority ( 1 ). Infectious disease pandemics often cause some people to act irrationally. The results of a survey based on psychological symptoms and irrational behaviors have drawn some conclusions. First, the vast majority of people remain in good physical and mental health, but some exhibit irrational behaviors. Second, women, elderly people, and those with confirmed cases showed more physical and mental symptoms and irrational behaviors. Finally, paradoxically, people with high education levels showed more mental symptoms, but fewer irrational behaviors ( 10 ).

Telemedicine

Just as the pandemic has enabled the rapid development of online education, the prospects of telemedicine are also favored by experts, observers, and investors. However, there are two restrictive aspects, namely, telemedicine equipment and telemedicine human resources. The application of 5G communication technology, telemedicine equipment, remote monitoring equipment, remote physical sign monitoring equipment, and medical artificial intelligence triage equipment all need to be urgently developed and improved. Jiangsu, a province in China, is a model province of the national project called “Internet + Medical and Health.” During the pandemic, the telemedicine by public hospitals in Jiangsu Province helped improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, alleviating the pressure of offline diagnosis and treatment, and reducing the risk of cross-infection. Subsequently, medical staff were fully supportive of telemedicine. However, there was a shortage of medical staff in fever clinics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatrists that provided telemedicine services, and they lacked corresponding incentive mechanisms ( 11 ). Effective mitigation strategies to improve mental health were developed by public health management experts. To control the rapid spread of COVID-19 and manage the crisis better, both developed and developing countries have been improving the efficiency of their health system by replacing a proportion of face-to-face clinical encounters with telemedicine solutions ( 12 ).

Social Media

There were rumors in various kinds of media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we can regard rumors as a disturbing error for psychological measurement, if they are not strictly controlled, their impact on people's mental health and behavior cannot be ignored. A study focusing on the spread of WeChat rumors has explored the psychological perception mechanism of audiences affected by rumor spreading in emergency situations. The study has significant results in the following terms: the form characteristics of the rumors in COVID-19, the ranking of susceptible age groups, the degree of dependence of the test subject on certain media and its psychological impact, and the follow-up behavior of the test subjects related to psychological variables ( 2 ). In 2021, another interesting study based on the data of TikTok videos released by three mainstream media in China showed that they inevitably caused some psychological trauma to the public. However, from the perspective of overall emotional orientation, short-format videos with positive reporting emotional tendencies had an advantage in attracting likes from TikTok users. Positive government responses to pandemic information were very important, and those responses could be recognized and praised by most social media users. Some of the TikTok videos, such as The Plasma of a Recovered Patient Cured 11 Other ICU Patients, The First COVID-19 Test Kit Passed Inspection, and A Frenchman Named Fred gave up Returning to Home to Join China's Anti-COVID-19 Battle, are extremely popular among social media users. Most social media users have been providing spiritual sustenance for people in the pandemic ( 13 ). When a public health crisis occurs, social media plays an important role in increasing public vigilance, helping the public identify rumors, and boosting public morale.

University Students and Loneliness

A study that assessed the adverse impact on the mental health of university students has drawn some conclusions. First, the severity of the outbreak has an indirect effect on negative emotions by affecting sleep quality. Second, a possible mitigation strategy to improve mental health includes ensuring suitable amounts of daily physical activity and deep sleep. Third, the pandemic has reduced people's aggressiveness, probably by making people realize the fragility and preciousness of life ( 14 ). Another research focused on social networks and mental health compared two cohorts of Swiss undergraduate students who were experiencing the crisis, and made an additional comparison with an earlier cohort who did not experience the pandemic. The researchers found that interaction and co-study networks had become sparser, and more students were studying alone. Stressors shifted from fear of missing out on social life to concern about health, family, friends, and their future ( 15 ). Young adults, women, people with lower education or lower income, the economically inactive, people living alone, and urban residents were at greater risk of being lonely during the pandemic. Being a student emerged as a higher than usual risk factor for loneliness during the lockdown ( 16 ). A study to explore the relationship between loneliness and stress among undergraduates in North America showed that the loneliness and stress among college students increased. On one hand, stress plays a key role in the deterioration of college students' mental health; on the other hand, reducing the loneliness of college students is expected to reduce the negative impact of stress on college students' mental health ( 17 ).

Research Trends

Due to the limited training sample of academic papers at present, it is difficult to predict the outcomes accurately. Though we cannot exactly predict the hot issues in the future, we can sort out some possible research trends in this field by analyzing existing research approaches. Psychological symptoms that affected people's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic will be discovered further, especially those that probably continued to affect people's mental health even after the pandemic is controlled.

Studies on mild psychological symptoms, such as mild insomnia and anxiety, tend to decrease slowly, and in the case of severe problems caused by the pandemic, or severe psychological symptoms, such as clinical insomnia, depression, bipolar disorder, the corresponding in-depth research will continue. The impact of a global pandemic on the mental health of the global population must be profound and worthy of study. Due to the rapid development of COVID-19, many famous universities and research institutions have not had enough time to collect sufficient data and relevant research materials. The different effects on populations in different countries with different pandemic prevention policies are not yet fully displayed.

Regardless of how research on mental health develops, the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed brought us some new insights. As mentioned in many articles on mental health interventions for adolescents and college students, the mental health of specific populations and the development of telemedicine all deserve continued academic attention. Mental health intervention for adolescents and college students is a means to consider and prepare for the future. To ensure responsible and accountable behavior for future generations, we should all pay attention to the research and application of this method. Caring for specific groups of people, such as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, and studying how to protect them in a global pandemic is a topic that global academia must study in the future, or we will lose protection the next time the virus sweeps the world. In addition, telemedicine is the trend in the future, and face-to-face diagnosis and treatment will undoubtedly increase the risk of cross-infection during the pandemic. Therefore, the development of telemedicine is an important way to avoid contact between the patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the research and development of telemedicine.

Limitations

(1) Though we have selected three databases for analysis, there are still some databases that may be related to this field that are not covered in this study. (2) Since COVID-19-related research was started just 2 years ago, the results of the bibliometric analysis may vary after adding new data. (3) The citation frequency of articles is influenced by the time of publication, thus previously published articles should be cited more frequently than new ones. (4) Bibliometric data change over time, and different conclusions may be drawn over time. Therefore, this study should be updated in the future.

Conclusions

The most mentioned keywords, in addition to COVID-19 and mental health, can be roughly divided into three categories: keywords representing specific groups of people, keywords describing influences and symptoms, and keywords related to public health policies. The most mentioned issues were about medical staff, quarantine, psychological symptoms, telemedicine, social media, and loneliness. Mild psychological symptoms, such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety, tend to decrease slowly, while severe ones, such as severe clinical insomnia, depression, and bipolar disorder, are yet to be discovered. The importance of studies on the protection of youth medical staff and telemedicine studies will become even more significant in the future. While physical health is threatened by the pandemic, human mental health also suffers. Judging from the current situation of pandemic prevention and control, if severe prevention and control measures are taken, the impact of COVID-19 on the health of the social population is controllable; if a strategy of coexistence with the virus is adopted, as long as a new deadly mutation of COVID-19 does not emerge, the outcomes can be controllable. However, the impact of the pandemic on human mental health is not easy to predict. In addition to the abovementioned papers on mental health, the author also noted that some papers focused on neuromedicine pointed out that the virus might have some damage to the normal working mechanism of the human nervous system, but these studies are outside the scope of mental health research, at least for now. This study aims to summarize the observations, analysis, and research of scholars on mental health during the pandemic from 2020 to early 2022, with a view to provide more clues for future researchers. We hope that more researchers will build on our research to discover new research areas and new questions to help more countries, groups, and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Availability Statement

Author contributions.

YL was responsible for the concept and design, drafting this article, and bibliometric analysis. YL, LS, and XT were responsible for the revision and data collection. All authors contributed to this article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the study participants for their time and effort.

Shapiro Library

Psychology Research Guide

Mental health.

The following resources on mental health can help you narrow your topic, learn about the language used to describe these psychology topics, and get you up to speed on the major advancements in this field.

  • Mental Health topics on the National Institute of Mental Health's website

research titles examples about mental health

Mental Health Subject Headings

You may find it helpful to take advantage of predefined subjects or subject headings in Shapiro Databases. These subjects are applied to articles and books by expert catalogers to help you find materials on your topic. Learn more about subject searching:

  • Subject Searching

Consider using databases to perform subject searches, or incorporating words from applicable subjects into your keyword searches. Here are some mental health subjects to consider:

  • mental disorders
  • personality
  • post-traumatic stress disorder

Mental Health Example Search

Not sure what you want to research exactly, but want to get a feel for the resources available? Try the following search in any of the databases listed above:

"Mental Health" AND Psych*

There isn't just one accepted word for this area of psychology, so we use OR boolean operators to tell the database any of the listed terms are relevant to our search. We use parenthesis to organize our search, and we stem or truncate the word psychology with the asterisk to tell the database that any ending of the word, as long as the letters psych are at the beginning of the word, will do. This way, the word psychological and other related terms will also be included.

  • Learn more about Boolean Operators/Boolean Searching

Mental Health Organization Websites

  • American Counseling Association This link opens in a new window The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings.
  • American Mental Health Counselors Association This link opens in a new window The AMHCA's mission is to advance the profession of clinical mental health counseling by setting the standard for: collaboration, advocacy, research, ethical practice, education, training, and professional development.
  • American School Counselor Association This link opens in a new window The ASCA supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, career and social/emotional development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. ASCA provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more than 36,000 professional school counselors around the globe. ASCA administers the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), the School Counselor of the Year Awards and publishes the ASCA National Model.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) This link opens in a new window NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) This link opens in a new window The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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Health Psychology Topics

Ideas for Your Next Health Psychology Paper or Project

Heath psychology topics can look at a range of issues related to health, illness, and healthcare. It may include such things as eating disorders, weight management, diet, exercise, stress coping, women's health, and more.

Health psychology, also known as medical psychology or behavioral medicine, focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors influence health and well-being. It's a diverse and rich field worth exploring if you're studying to be a health professional.

At a Glance

Health psychology is a field focused on promoting wellness and understanding how physical health and illness impact mental well-being. Health psychology topics you might want to explore include stress management, behavior change, weight management, nutrition, eating disorders, exercise, illness prevention, managing chronic conditions, and much more.

Health Psychology Research and Paper Topic Ideas

The next time you're looking for a research topic for your studies and would like to focus on health psychology , consider the following suggestions. These can inspire an experiment , a research paper, or any other type of class project.

Exercise and Eating Behavior Topic Ideas

Health behaviors, including exercise and diet, are a major topic within the field of health psychology. Some areas you might opt to explore include:

Weight Management Strategies

Explore some of the psychological strategies that can help people stick to a diet and exercise program. Is there any singular strategy that is more effective than others?

Eating Disorders

Analyze how media depictions of "ideal" bodies influence anorexia and bulimia. Is there a link between exposure to these images and eating disorders?

Social Media and Body Image

Look at how exposure to social media affects body image. Do young people who spend more time on social media have worse body image than those who use these apps and websites less frequently? What type of content has the most significant impact on body image?

Family Health and Safety Topic Ideas

Factors that influence family health and safety are another health psychology topic you might consider. Examples include:

Safe Sleep Practices

Explore how increased public awareness of infant safety, such as placing an infant on their back to sleep, or removing pillows and other objects from the sleeping area, have influenced the occurrence of SIDS, or "crib death." Has the number of SIDS-related deaths gone down? Why do some parents ignore these sleep safety guidelines?

Childhood Immunizations

Assess current approaches to childhood immunizations. Why do some parents choose not to immunize their children? How does this impact public health? What can health professionals do to increase the likelihood that kids are immunized?

Teen Suicide

Explore the factors that contribute to  teen suicide . How effective are suicide prevention programs? Which strategies are the most effective?

Effects of Caregiving

Look at the emotional, social, and psychological impact of caregiving, such as taking care of an aging parent, a family member with AIDS, or a spouse diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Public Health Topic Ideas

Individual health is important, but health psychology are also interested in learning more about things that can have an effect on overall public health. Some examples include:>

Trauma Coping

What can  mental health  and medical professionals do to help people cope in the immediate aftermath of a disaster? Are there any strategies that result in better long-term outcomes?

PTSD in Veterans

Research the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. What factors contribute to whether an individual veteran experiences PTSD? Which mental health interventions are most effective in treating this disorder?

Coping with Chronic Pain

Evaluate how stress management techniques and relaxation methods can help patients experiencing chronic pain. How effective are these tactics? How do they compare to traditional pharmacological approaches to pain management?

Smoking Cessation

Compare and contrast different approaches to quitting smoking. Which strategies are the most effective?

Safety Equipment Use

Look at different techniques that can be used to increase the likelihood that people will use safety equipment such as seat belts and bicycle helmets. What type of public safety program would you devise to encourage the use of these products?

A few areas you might want to explore in your research include exercise, eating behaviors, family health, safety, and public health. Such areas provide a wealth of health psychology topics to choose from.

More Health Psychology Topics

The above are just a few specific topics and questions you might want to explore, but there are also many other areas you might consider. Some broad health psychology topics that might also inspire your research include:

  • Biological factors that influence health
  • Social and environmental factors that impact health (i.e., social determinants of health)
  • Psychological factors that influence health
  • How patients cope with disease and illness
  • Treatment adherence (i.e., why some people don't follow their treatment plan)
  • Ways to change bad habits
  • How to develop good habits
  • Techniques for controlling pain
  • How to handle stress
  • Factors that influence mental well-being
  • How to improve access to healthcare resources
  • Why people experience emotional eating
  • How emotions impact health behaviors
  • How discrimination affects health
  • How to improve doctor-patient communication

Tips Before You Get Started

Before you begin, make sure the topic you're interested in matches the specific assignment. Even if your instructor doesn't require you to get approval for your intended topic, it's always a good idea to run it by them before you delve too deeply into your research.

Of course, make sure you've chosen a subject that you know you'll be able to find appropriate sources for. You wouldn't want to commit to a project only to find insufficient existing information to work with. Again, input from your instructor can prevent you from wasting time on a topic that offers little to go on.

What This Means For You

Health psychology focuses on understanding how social, environmental, biological, psychological, and cultural factors influence health and illness. If you are looking for a great topic to explore, consider picking a broad area of interest (like stress, exercise, safety, illness, etc.), and then narrowing down your focus to more specific questions of interest.

Ian Lubek, Monica Ghabrial, Naomi Ennis, et al. Notes on the development of health psychology and behavioral medicine in the United States. J Health Psychol.  2018;23(3):492-505. doi:10.1177/1359105318755156

Sanderson CA. Health Psychology: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection . SAGE Publications.

Naumann E, Tuschen-Caffier B, Voderholzer U, Schäfer J, Svaldi J. Effects of emotional acceptance and rumination on media-induced body dissatisfaction in anorexia and bulimia nervosa . J Psychiatr Res . 2016;82:119-125. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.07.021

McNeil DA, Mueller M, MacDonald S, et al. Maternal perceptions of childhood vaccination: Explanations of reasons for and against vaccination.   BMC Public Health . 2019;19(1):49. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-6338-0

Shen S, Cheng C, Yang J, Yang S. Visualized analysis of developing trends and hot topics in natural disaster research.   PLoS One . 2018;13(1):e0191250. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191250

Renshaw KD. An integrated model of risk and protective factors for post-deployment PTSD symptoms in OEF/OIF era combat veterans. J Affect Disord . 2011;128(3):321-326. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2010.07.022

American Psychological Association. Health psychology promotes wellness .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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  • Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health
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  • Sarah Peters
  • Correspondence to : Dr Sarah Peters, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Coupland Building 1, Oxford Road M13 9PL, UK; sarah.peters{at}manchester.ac.uk

As the evidence base for the study of mental health problems develops, there is a need for increasingly rigorous and systematic research methodologies. Complex questions require complex methodological approaches. Recognising this, the MRC guidelines for developing and testing complex interventions place qualitative methods as integral to each stage of intervention development and implementation. However, mental health research has lagged behind many other healthcare specialities in using qualitative methods within its evidence base. Rigour in qualitative research raises many similar issues to quantitative research and also some additional challenges. This article examines the role of qualitative methods within mental heath research, describes key methodological and analytical approaches and offers guidance on how to differentiate between poor and good quality qualitative research.

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmh.13.2.35

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The trajectory of qualitative methods in mental health research

Qualitative methodologies have a clear home within the study of mental health research. Early and, arguably, seminal work into the study of mental illnesses and their management was based on detailed observation, moving towards theory using inductive reasoning. Case studies have been long established in psychiatry to present detailed analysis of unusual cases or novel treatments. Participant observation was the principle method used in Goffman's seminal study of psychiatric patients in asylums that informed his ideas about the institutionalising and medicalising of mental illness by medical practice. 1 However, the 20th century saw the ‘behaviourist revolution’, a movement where quantification and experimentation dominated. Researchers sought to identify cause and effects, and reasoning became more deductive – seeking to use data to confirm theory. The study of health and illness was determined by contemporary thinking about disease, taking a biomedical stance. Psychologists and clinical health researchers exploited natural science methodologies, attempting to measure phenomenon in their smallest entities and do so as objectively as possible. This reductionist and positivist philosophy shaped advances in research methods and meant that qualitative exploration failed to develop as a credible scientific approach. Indeed, ‘objectivity’ and the ‘discovery of truth’ have become synonymous with ‘scientific enquiry’ and qualitative methods are easily dismissed as ‘anecdotal’. The underlying epistemology of this approach chimes well with medical practice for which training is predominately in laboratory and basic sciences (such as physics and chemistry) within which the discourse of natural laws dominate. To this end, research in psychiatry still remains overwhelmingly quantitative. 2

Underlying all research paradigms are assumptions. However, most traditional researchers remain unaware of these until they start to use alternative paradigms. Key assumptions of quantitative research are that facts exist that can be quantified and measured and that these should be examined, as far as possible, objectively, partialling out or controlling for the context within which they exist. There are research questions within mental health where this approach can hold: where phenomenon of interest can be reliably and meaningfully quantified and measured, it is feasible to use data to test predictions and examine change. However, for many questions these assumptions prove unsatisfying. It is often not possible or desirable to try and create laboratory conditions for the research; indeed it would be ecologically invalid to do so. For example, to understand the experience of an individual who has been newly diagnosed with schizophrenia, it is clearly important to consider the context within which they live, their family, social grouping and media messages they are exposed to. Table 1 depicts the key differences between the two methodological approaches and core underlying assumptions for each.

  • View inline

Comparison of underlying assumptions of quantitative and qualitative research approaches

It should be cautioned that it is easy to fall into the trap of categorising studies as either quantitative or qualitative. The two traditions are often positioned within the literature as opposing and in conflict. This division is unhelpful and likely to impede methodological advancement. Though, undeniably, there are differences in the two approaches to research, there are also many exceptions that expose this dichotomy to be simplistic: some qualitative studies seek to test a priori hypotheses, and some quantitative studies are atheoretical and exploratory. 3 Hence it is more useful to consider research methodologies as lying along a spectrum and that researchers should be familiar with the full range of methodologies, so that a method is chosen according to the research question rather than the researcher's ability.

Rationale for qualitative methods in current mental health research

There are a number of scientific, practical and ethical reasons why mental health is an area that can particularly benefit from qualitative enquiry. Mental health research is complex. Health problems are multifactorial in their aetiology and the consequences they have on the individual, families and societies. Management can involve self-help, pharmacological, educative, social and psychotherapeutic approaches. Services involved are often multidisciplinary and require liaison between a number of individuals including professionals, service-users and relatives. Many problems are exacerbated by poor treatment compliance and lack of access to, or engagement with, appropriate services. 4

Engagement with mental health research can also be challenging. Topics may be highly sensitive or private. Individuals may have impaired capacity or be at high risk. During the research process there may be revelations of suicidal ideation or criminal activity. Hence mental health research can raise additional ethical issues. In other cases scepticism of services makes for reluctant research participants. However, if we accept the case that meaningful research can be based in subjective enquiry then qualitative methods provide a way of giving voice to participants. Qualitative methods offer an effective way of involving service-users in developing interventions for mental health problems 5 ensuring that the questions asked are meaningful to individuals. This may be particularly beneficial if participants are stakeholders, for example potential users of a new service.

Qualitative methods are valuable for individuals who have limited literacy skills who struggle with pencil and paper measures. For example qualitative research has proved fruitful in understanding children's concepts of mental illness and associated services. 6

How qualitative enquiry is used within mental health research

There are a range of types of research question where qualitative methods prove useful – from the development and testing of theory, to the piloting and establishing efficacy of treatment approaches, to understanding issues around translation and implementation into routine practice. Each is discussed in turn.

Development and testing of theory

Qualitative methods are important in exploratory work and in generating understanding of a phenomenon, stimulating new ideas or building new theory. For example, stigma is a concept that is recognised as a barrier to accessing services and also an added burden to mental health. A focus-group study sought to understand the meaning of stigma from the perspectives of individuals with schizophrenia, their relatives and health professionals. 7 From this they developed a four-dimensional theory which has subsequently informed interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination that target not only engagement with psychiatric services but also interactions with the public and work. 7

Development of tools and measures

Qualitative methods access personal accounts, capturing how individuals talk about a lived experience. This can be invaluable for designing new research tools. For example, Mavaddat and colleagues used focus groups with 56 patients with severe or common mental health problems to explore their experiences of primary care management. 8 Nine focus groups were conducted and analysis identified key themes. From these, items were generated to form a Patient Experience Questionnaire, of which the psychometric properties were subsequently examined quantitatively in a larger sample. Not only can dimensions be identified, the rich qualitative data provide terminology that is meaningful to service users that can then be incorporated into question items.

Development and testing of interventions

As we have seen, qualitative methods can inform the development of new interventions. The gold-standard methodology for investigating treatment effectiveness is the randomised controlled trial (RCT), with the principle output being an effect size or demonstration that the primary outcome was significantly improved for participants in the intervention arm compared with those in the control/comparison arm. Nevertheless, what will be familiar for researchers and clinicians involved in trials is that immense research and clinical learning arises from these substantial, often lengthy and expensive research endeavours. Qualitative methods provide a means to empirically capture these lessons, whether they are about recruitment, therapy training/supervision, treatment delivery or content. These data are essential to improve the feasibility and acceptability of further trials and developing the intervention. Conducting qualitative work prior to embarking on an RCT can inform the design, delivery and recruitment, as well as engage relevant stakeholders early in the process; all of these can prevent costly errors. Qualitative research can also be used during a trial to identify reasons for poor recruitment: in one RCT, implementing findings from this type of investigation led to an increased randomisation rate from 40% to 70%. 9

Nesting qualitative research within a trial can be viewed as taking out an insurance policy as data are generated which can later help explain negative or surprising findings. A recent trial of reattribution training for GPs to manage medically unexplained symptoms demonstrated substantial improvements in GP consultation behaviour. 10 However, effects on clinical outcomes were counterintuitive. A series of nested qualitative studies helped shed light as to why this was the case: patients' illness models were complex, and they resisted engaging with GPs (who they perceived as having more simplistic and dualistic understanding) because they were anxious it would lead to non-identification or misdiagnosis of any potential future disease 11 , an issue that can be addressed in future interventions. Even if the insights are unsurprising to those involved in the research, the data collected have been generated systematically and can be subjected to peer review and disseminated. For this reason, there is an increasing expectation from funding bodies that qualitative methodologies are integral to psychosocial intervention research.

Translation and implementation into clinical practice

Trials provide limited information about how treatments can be implemented into clinical practice or applied to another context. Psychological interventions are more effective when delivered within trial settings by experts involved in their development than when they are delivered within clinical settings. 12 Qualitative methods can help us understand how to implement research findings into routine practice. 13

Understanding what stakeholders value about a service and what barriers exist to its uptake is another evidence base to inform clinicians' practice. Relapse prevention is an effective psychoeducation approach that helps individuals with bipolar disorder extend time to relapse. Qualitative methodologies identified which aspects of the intervention service-users and care-coordinators value, and hence, are likely to utilise in routine care. 14 The intervention facilitated better understanding of bipolar disorder (by both parties), demonstrating, in turn, a rationale for medication. Patients discovered new, empowering and less socially isolated ways of managing their symptoms, which had important impacts on interactions with healthcare staff and family members. Furthermore, care-coordinators' reported how they used elements of the intervention when working with clients with other diagnoses. The research also provided insights as to where difficulties may occur when implementing a particular intervention into routine care. For example, for care-coordinators this proved a novel way of working with clients that was more emotionally demanding, thus highlighting the need for supervision and managerial support. 14

Beginners guide to qualitative approaches: one size doesn't fit all

Just as there is a range of quantitative research designs and statistical analyses to choose from, so there are many types of qualitative methods. Choosing a method can be daunting to an inexperienced or beginner-level qualitative researcher, for it requires engaging with new terms and ways of thinking about knowledge. The following summary sets out analytic and data-generation approaches that are used commonly in mental health research. It is not intended to be comprehensive and is provided only as a point of access/familiarisation to researchers less familiar with the literature.

Data generation

Qualitative data are generated in several ways. Most commonly, researchers seek a sample and conduct a series of individual in-depth interviews, seeking participants' views on topics of interest. Typically these last upwards of 45 min and are organised on the basis of a schedule of topics identified from the literature or pilot work. This does not act as a questionnaire, however; rather, it acts as a flexible framework for exploring areas of interest. The researcher combines open questions to elicit free responses, with focused questions for probing and prompting participants to provide effective responses. Usually interviews are audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for subsequent analysis.

As interviews are held in privately, and on one-to-one basis, they provide scope to develop a trusting relationship so that participants are comfortable disclosing socially undesirable views. For example, in a study of practice nurses views of chronic fatigue syndrome, some nurses described patients as lazy or illegitimate – a view that challenges the stereotype of a nursing professional as a sympathetic and caring person. 15 This gives important information about the education and supervision required to enable or train general nurses to ensure that they are capable of delivering psychological interventions for these types of problems.

Alternatively, groups of participants are brought together for a focus group, which usually lasts for 2 hours. Although it is tempting to consider focus groups as an efficient way of acquiring data from several participants simultaneously, there are disadvantages. They are difficult to organise for geographically dispersed or busy participants, and there are compromises to confidentiality, particularly within ‘captive’ populations (eg, within an organisation individuals may be unwilling to criticise). Group dynamics must be considered; the presence of a dominant or self-professed expert can inhibit the group and, therefore, prevent useful data generation. When the subject mater is sensitive, individuals may be unwilling to discuss experiences in a group, although it often promotes a shared experience that can be empowering. Most of these problems are avoided by careful planning of the group composition and ensuring the group is conducted by a highly skilled facilitator. Lester and colleagues 16 used focus-group sessions with patients and health professionals to understand the experience of dealing with serious mental illness. Though initially participants were observed via focus-group sessions that used patient-only and health professional only groups, subsequently on combined focus groups were used that contained both patients and health professionals. 16 The primary advantage of focus groups is that they enable generation of data about how individuals discuss and interact about a phenomenon; thus, a well-conducted focus group can be an extremely rich source of data.

A different type of data are naturally occurring dialogue and behaviours. These may be recorded through observation and detailed field notes (see ethnography in Table 2 ) or analysed from audio/ video-recordings. Other data sources include texts, for example, diaries, clinical notes, Internet blogs and so on. Qualitative data can even be generated through postal surveys. We thematically analysed responses to an open-ended question set within a survey about medical educators' views of behavioural and social sciences (BSS). 17 From this, key barriers to integrating BSS within medical training were identified, which included an entrenched biomedical mindset. The themes were analysed in relation to existing literature and revealed that despite radical changes in medical training, the power of the hidden curriculum persists. 17

Key features of a range of analytical approaches used within mental health research

Analysing qualitative data

Researchers bring a wide range of analytical approaches to the data. A comprehensive and detailed discussion of the philosophy underlying different methods is beyond the scope of this paper; however, a summary of the key analytical approaches used in mental health research are provided in Table 2 . An illustrative example is provided for each approach to offer some insight into the commonalities and differences between methodologies. The procedure for analysis for all methods involves successive stages of data familiarisation/immersion, followed by seeking and reviewing patterns within the data, which may then be defined and categorized as specific themes. Researchers move back and forth between data generation and analysis, confirming or disconfirming emerging ideas. The relationship of the analysis to theory-testing or theory-building depends on the methodology used.

Some approaches are more common in healthcare than others. Interpretative phenomenological (lPA) analysis and thematic analysis have proved particularly popular. In contrast, ethnographic research requires a high level of researcher investment and reflexivity and can prove challenging for NHS ethic committees. Consequently, it remains under used in healthcare research.

Recruitment and sampling

Quantitative research is interested in identifying the typical, or average. By contrast, qualitative research aims to discover and examine the breadth of views held within a community. This includes extreme or deviant views and views that are absent. Consequently, qualitative researchers do not necessarily (though in some circumstances they may) seek to identify a representative sample. Instead, the aim may be to sample across the range of views. Hence, qualitative research can comment on what views exist and what this means, but it is not possible to infer the proportions of people from the wider population that hold a particular view.

However, sampling for a qualitative study is not any less systematic or considered. In a quantitative study one would take a statistical approach to sampling, for example, selecting a random sample or recruiting consecutive referrals, or every 10th out-patient attendee. Qualitative studies, instead, often elect to use theoretical means to identify a sample. This is often purposive; that is, the researcher uses theoretical principles to choose the attributes of included participants. Healey and colleagues conducted a study to understand the reasons for individuals with bipolar disorder misusing substances. 18 They sought to include participants who were current users of each substance group, and the recruitment strategy evolved to actively target specific cases.

Qualitative studies typically use far smaller samples than quantitative studies. The number varies depending on the richness of the data yielded and the type of analytic approach that can range from a single case to more than 100 participants. As with all research, it is unethical to recruit more participants than needed to address the question at hand; a qualitative sample should be sufficient for thematic saturation to be achieved from the data.

Ensuring that findings are valid and generalisable

A common question from individuals new to qualitative research is how can findings from a study of few participants be generalised to the wider population? In some circumstances, findings from an individual study (quantitative or qualitative) may have limited generalisability; therefore, more studies may need to be conducted, in order to build local knowledge that can then be tested or explored across similar groups. 4 However, all qualitative studies should create new insights that have theoretical or clinical relevance which enables the study to extend understanding beyond the individual participants and to the wider population. In some cases, this can lead to generation of new theory (see grounded theory in Table 2 ).

Reliability and validity are two important ways of ascertaining rigor in quantitative research. Qualitative research seeks to understand individual construction and, by definition, is subjective. It is unlikely, therefore, that a study could ever be repeated with exactly the same circumstances. Instead, qualitative research is concerned with the question of whether the findings are trustworthy; that is, if the same circumstances were to prevail, would the same conclusions would be drawn?

There are a number of ways to maximise trustworthiness. One is triangulation, of which there are three subtypes. Data triangulation involves using data from several sources (eg, interviews, documentation, observation). A research team may include members from different backgrounds (eg, psychology, psychiatry, sociology), enabling a range of perspectives to be used within the discussion and interpretation of the data. This is termed researcher triangulation . The final subtype, theoretical triangulation, requires using more than one theory to examine the research question. Another technique to establish the trustworthiness of the findings is to use respondent validation. Here, the final or interim analysis is presented to members of the population of interest to ascertain whether interpretations made are valid.

An important aspect of all qualitative studies is researcher reflexivity. Here researchers consider their role and how their experience and knowledge might influence the generation, analysis and interpretation of the data. As with all well-conducted research, a clear record of progress should be kept – to enable scrutiny of recruitment, data generation and development of analysis. However, transparency is particularly important in qualitative research as the concepts and views evolve and are refined during the process.

Judging quality in qualitative research

Within all fields of research there are better and worse ways of conducting a study, and range of quality in mental health qualitative research is variable. Many of the principles for judging quality in qualitative research are the same for judging quality in any other type of research. However, several guidelines have been developed to help readers, reviewers and editors who lack methodological expertise to feel more confident in appraising qualitative studies. Guidelines are a prerequisite for the relatively recent advance of methodologies for systematic reviewing of qualitative literature (see meta-synthesis in Table 2 ). Box 1 provides some key questions that should be considered while studying a qualitative report.

Box 1 Guidelines for authors and reviewers of qualitative research (adapted from Malterud 35 )

▶ Is the research question relevant and clearly stated?

Reflexivity

▶ Are the researcher's motives and background presented?

Method, sampling and data collection

▶ Is a qualitative method appropriate and justified?

▶ Is the sampling strategy clearly described and justified?

▶ Is the method for data generation fully described

▶ Are the characteristics of the sample sufficiently described?

Theoretical framework

▶ Was a theoretical framework used and stated?

▶ Are the principles and procedures for data organisation and analysis described and justified?

▶ Are strategies used to test the trustworthiness of the findings?

▶ Are the findings relevant to the aim of the study?

▶ Are data (e.g. quotes) used to support and enrich the findings?

▶ Are the conclusions directly linked to the study? Are you convinced?

▶ Do the findings have clinical or theoretical value?

▶ Are findings compared to appropriate theoretical and empirical literature?

▶ Are questions about the internal and external validity and reflexivity discussed?

▶ Are shortcomings of the design, and the implications these have on findings, examined?

▶ Are clinical/theoretical implications of the findings made?

Presentation

▶ Is the report understandable and clearly contextualised?

▶ Is it possible to distinguish between the voices of informants and researchers?

▶ Are sources from the field used and appropriately referenced?

Conclusions and future directions

Qualitative research has enormous potential within the field of mental health research, yet researchers are only beginning to exploit the range of methods they use at each stage of enquiry. Strengths of qualitative research primarily lie in developing theory and increasing understanding about effective implementation of treatments and how best to support clinicians and service users in managing mental health problems. An important development in the field is how to integrate methodological approaches to address questions. This raises a number of challenges, such as how to integrate textual and numerical data and how to reconcile different epistemologies. A distinction can be made between mixed- method design (eg, quantitative and qualitative data are gathered and findings combined within a single or series of studies) and mixed- model study, a pragmatist approach, whereby aspects of qualitative and quantitative research are combined at different stages during a research process. 19 Qualitative research is still often viewed as only a support function or as secondary to quantitative research; however, this situation is likely to evolve as more researchers gain a broader skill set.

Though it is undeniable that there has been a marked increase in the volume and quality of qualitative research published within the past two decades, mental health research has been surprisingly slow to develop, compared to other disciplines e.g. general practice and nursing, with relatively fewer qualitative research findings reaching mainstream psychiatric journals. 2 This does not appear to reflect overall editorial policy; however, it may be partly due to the lack of confidence on the part of editors and reviewers while identifying rigorous qualitative research data for further publication. 20 However, the skilled researcher should no longer find him or herself forced into a position of defending a single-methodology camp (quantitative vs qualitative), but should be equipped with the necessary methodological and analytical skills to study and interpret data and to appraise and interpret others' findings from a full range of methodological techniques.

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211 Mental Health Research Topics & Essay Examples

📝 mental health research papers examples, 🎓 simple research topics about mental health, 👍 good mental health essay topics to write about.

  • ⭐ Simple & Easy Mental Health Essay Titles

🏆 Best Mental Health Essay Titles

✍️ mental health essay topics for college, 📣 mental health topics for discussion, ❓ mental health research questions.

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⭐ Simple & Easy Mental Health Essay Titles

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How to Create a Mental Health Action Plan

research titles examples about mental health

The latest mental health figures paint a sobering picture.

According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness , 23% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021. Additionally, suicide rates increased approximately 36% between 2000 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, drug use, sleep issues, and loneliness are primary issues contributing to poor mental health.

“We are in a mental health crisis in the country today; there is no question about it,” Dr. Marcos Iglesias, vice president and chief medical director at insurance firm Travelers, said Sept. 4 at a panel discussion in Denver hosted by Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers. “We’ve separated mental health and physical health for too long. We need to talk about mental health in the same breath.”

Although there is good news in that people, collectively, are talking more about mental health than they have in recent years, many HR and other company leaders aren’t sure how to improve workers’ mental well-being.

[SHRM Toolkit: Creating a Mental-Health-Friendly Workplace ]

A Travelers survey of 100 small and midsize businesses with fewer than 500 employees in the Denver area released at the event, for example, found that although the vast majority of managers (88%) said they are concerned about their employees’ well-being, only one-third of respondents said they are confident when it comes to addressing their employees’ mental health.

But it’s not a hopeless situation, said Rich Ives, senior vice president, business insurance claims, at Travelers. There are several things organizations can do to address mental health issues in the workplace, experts said at the panel.

Utilize a number of tools. Mental health apps, licensed therapists and counselors, stress management programs, and overall care are all important tools in an employer’s arsenal.

Having various tools and resources available is essential because workers may need different tools for different circumstances.

“For example, if somebody is depressed … they’re not functioning in their home. They’re barely making it at work. That person doesn’t need an app,” Iglesias said. “That person needs a licensed mental health professional to evaluate them, to diagnose them, to put them on a treatment regimen that’s going to help them.”

On the other hand, someone dealing with stress might not need a psychiatrist, he said. They may benefit instead from an app, a book, or another educational resource, along with skills to help deal with stress.

Know your workforce. Every workplace is different, explained Dr. Les Kertay, a clinical psychologist and chief medical officer at Ascellus. For example, younger workers are more open about talking about mental health than their older counterparts. And certain industries have more stress than others or require employees to work long hours, which contributes to mental health issues.

Encourage mental health screenings. Dr. Kathryn Mueller, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, said that physical ailments can be manifested by mental health issues and that organizations should encourage workers to get screened for mental health issues so they get appropriate care and treatment when needed.

Show you care. According to the American Psychological Association , 92% of employees said working for an organization that values their well-being is important to them. But Ives noted that many employees do not feel cared about. “You have to let your folks know that you care,” he said.

But Kertay added that while it’s important to let employees know that you care, it’s not going to mean anything if they don’t think it’s genuine.

“If your workforce doesn’t believe you, it’s not going to be helpful,” he said.

Know the signs of mental health problems. It’s not an employer’s—or co-worker’s or family member’s—job to diagnose an illness, Iglesias said, but it’s important to know some of the signs that indicate a person may need help. Do they seem down or blue? Do they appear stressed and anxious? Are they tired all the time?

“Those things are signs that that individual is struggling,” Iglesias said. “You’re just there to pick up on some of these signs and point that individual to resources that you probably have, whether it’s in your company or out in the community.”

Think about remote workers. With more employees now working remotely, it can be hard to gauge how workers are feeling. Instead of guessing, employers and managers should create more opportunities to check in with remote workers .

Consider people’s workload. Mental health resources are all well and good, but a lot of employee stress is driven by work, Kertay said.

[SHRM Research: Work Is Negatively Impacting Employees’ Mental Health ]

“We keep wanting to throw resources at individual people, but part of it is how work gets done. Let’s face it—what's happened in the last 50 years has been we do more and more work with fewer and fewer people,” he said. That often results in stress and burnout.

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From curing all diseases, to consulting patients on new approaches to health care, to using data from social media in training diagnostic algorithms, experts from health care, the tech industry, humanities, and more explored what the future of health care could look like at the Big Ideas in Medicine conference Sept. 6 and 7.

“Big ideas are really important,” said Bryant Lin , MD, a clinical professor of primary care and population health who welcomed attendees at Stanford Medicine’s Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge. “I want to share a couple of stories of what I think a big idea is today.” Although he has never smoked, he told the audience, he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer earlier this year.

“I was in pretty bad shape. I had to be hospitalized. But I look pretty good today – I can talk, not short of breath, not coughing. I’m here today because of a big idea in medicine, which is tyrosine kinase inhibitors,” Lin said of a cancer treatment that blocks proteins controlling cell growth and division. “I attribute my ability to have a high quality of life, to be able to be here and share this conference with you and listen to our fantastic speakers…[to] this really big idea.”

Speakers at the two-day event, sponsored by the Medical Humanities and the Arts Program , discussed a variety of topics that encouraged attendees to reimagine what the health care field could look like, if only some of their big ideas came to fruition. The ideas included using AI to create new antibiotics; the value of compelling, accurate science storytelling; retooling the ever-cumbersome electronic health record; and treating anxiety as a stage of grief.

Addressing the mental health crisis

Vivek Murthy, MD, surgeon general of the United States, shined a light on something he’s called “the loneliness epidemic.” From CEOs, members of Congress, and parents, Murthy has heard about isolation and feelings of being disconnected. “I realized there was something important happening here,” he said. About 1 in 3 Americans struggle with loneliness. Not only does loneliness increase the chance of developing depression and anxiety and contribute to suicide, it impacts physical health, raising risk for cardiovascular disease, dementia among older people, and premature death, Murthy said. It was clear “that loneliness was a public health concern that’s just as important as any traditional concerns, like smoking and obesity,” he said.

What’s missing is quality social connection, the decline of which is likely a result of social media. “I worry that the people who are paying the greatest price for this are young people,” Murthy said. He argues that safety standards and healthy boundaries on technology use are necessary to protect young people and help them build social skills. “When our kids are involved, we have to prioritize safety,” Murthy said. Yet there’s a lack of guardrails for infinite scrolling, visuals that depict self-harm and other problematic content. “That reflects, in my mind, a failure for us to fulfill our most sacred responsibility – to take care of our children.”

Mental health was a theme throughout the conference, with several speakers focusing on physician wellness. It’s no secret that health systems nationally are contending with physician burnout, and the pandemic only exacerbated the problem. Among the outsized contributors: electronic health records, patient messaging, and an overall dearth of providers across the country, according to Lisa Rotenstein, MD, and Megan Mahoney, MD, primary care physicians at the University of California, San Francisco, and others. The distribution of a patient’s care among various doctors and health systems can harm patients and increase stress for physicians trying to navigate a patient’s complicated medical history.

research titles examples about mental health

Lloyd Minor, dean of the Stanford School of Medicine, addresses conference attendees. | Kevin Meynell

Those factors contribute to another pervasive challenge in health care – access to care.

Though these problems loom large, health care and technology experts are determined to find – or create – new short- and long-term solutions that build a multipronged support system equally beneficial for patients and providers.

Improving access, inclusion, and wellness

Ilana Yurkiewicz, MD, clinical assistant professor of primary care and population health, has taken a special interest in care fragmentation, in which several clinicians care for one patient without sharing information. The solution, she said, involves “the three Ts,” – technology, team, and time.

According to Yurkiewicz and others, technology must evolve to meet the needs of doctors and patients, such as shareable electronic health records and other tools they can customize as well as consistent coworkers who work with the same teams. If the first two Ts – technology and team – are successfully addressed, ideally, physicians will have the time they need to provide quality care without overextending themselves. (According to the conference’s keynote speaker Amir Rubin, former president and CEO of Stanford Hospital and now CEO of Healthier Capital, health care systems need “the five As” – accessibility, availability, affordability, accommodation, and acceptability.)

Yurkiewicz said that Stanford Coordinated Care , a program for patients with multiple health conditions, embraces the three Ts. Under the program, a physical therapist, a nurse, a social worker, a pharmacist, a dietitian and four care coordinators – all of whom are medical assistants trained on relevant health care tech such as electronic health records – work closely with the physicians. “This is just one example of a successful clinic,” she said.

Rotenstein and others also pointed to technology such as AI-based algorithms that take clinical notes for the doctor and draft patient emails for them to review as near-term solutions.

Holly Tabor , PhD, professor of primary care and population health, emphasized the need to make care more accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Everybody thinks it’s somebody else’s job to take care of this population,” Tabor said. “Health care providers, health systems and society have a moral, ethical and legal obligation to make health care more accessible to full participation by people with all forms of disability.”

Tabor and her colleagues have piloted a project, IDD Transform , to improve health outcomes for adults with disabilities in a measurable way. “We need to listen to people with [disabilities] and their caregivers about what they need, what their barriers are, what they’re not getting, and then use design thinking and other models to think about how we can do a better job.”

Bold solutions

“How can we allow you to be your most creative self?” asked Priscilla Chan, MD, co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. “How can we de-risk things, make things faster so that you can pursue your wildest ideas instead of your safest ideas …?”

research titles examples about mental health

Eleni Linos enjoying a speaker’s talk. | Kevin Meynell

The self-stated goal of the initiative, to “cure, prevent and manage” all diseases, sounds lofty, the panelists said, so it’s not uncommon for people to hear that and balk. In science, people aren’t used to thinking about progress on a 100-year timescale, said Stephen Quake , PhD, professor of bioengineering and applied physics, the Lee Otterson Professor in the School of Engineering, and head of science for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. But maybe they should start. “We think of grant-level, three-year timescales,” he said during a conversation with Chan. “Part of the initial reaction of skeptical people [is] they’re just not used to thinking about what happens over the course of 100 years. And if you get kind of scholarly about that, you realize a whole lot can happen in 100 years.”

Researchers shared a variety of other tantalizing ideas for the future of health and medicine. James Zou , PhD, associate professor of biomedical data science, spoke about the evolution of AI, from a predictive puzzle solver to a tool that accelerates research by generating protein sequences for therapeutics, creating images, spitting out text, or supplying a variety of other products. Boris Heifets , MD, PhD, associate professor of anesthesiology, perioperative, and pain medicine, shared his exploration of psychedelics in mental health management. And Anna Lembke , MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, introduced a new type of self-restriction known as “dopamine fasting,” which requires a person to resist behaviors that release the hormone dopamine (like scrolling through social media or eating junk food) to curb addiction and restore dopamine balance in the brain.

Eleni Linos , MD, DrPH, professor of dermatology, took the stage as a storyteller. In May, Palo Alto, California, was treated to a rare celestial phenomenon: the northern lights. Linos begrudgingly joined a friend for a late-night stroll to a dark hill on campus, only to look up at the sky and see … nothing. “As I started to leave, someone I didn’t know tapped me on the shoulder. They said, ‘No, no, no, take out your phone,’” recalled Linos, the Ben Davenport and Lucy Zhang Professor in Medicine. She found that her phone could capture the beautiful pinks and greens streaming across the sky. “That was the moment where I was like, ‘Oh, this is real-life, augmented reality. This is exactly how it should be in my clinic.’” An AI-enabled app on a doctor’s smartphone, for instance, could scan skin lesions and help them make diagnoses based on details unseeable by the naked eye.

Linos added that years ago, on a flight, she sat next to a blind passenger. Her first reaction was to help – did he need assistance maneuvering around the plane? Pouring his drink? He did not. (It turned out he was a motivational speaker named Hoby Wedler who shared ideas about accessibility and science. He even earned a PhD in organic chemistry by feeling the relationships between molecules.) They struck up a conversation.

“We were flying to the East Coast, so we had a really in-depth conversation about accessibility and how educational institutions need to give more opportunities to people with disabilities, including blindness,” Linos said. They talked about her work as a dermatologist and concluded jokingly that there are some fields that would be extra difficult for a blind person to do. There could never really be a blind dermatologist, they agreed.

Fast forward five years. “That’s totally changed. Algorithms aren’t just as good as a dermatologist; in many cases, they’re better.” Linos reached out to Wedler. “I called him, and I was like, ‘You know what? We were wrong five years ago. You could become a dermatologist.’”

“He doesn’t want to,” she said with a laugh. But it poses new questions for Linos: What does it mean for dermatologists’ practice and careers? What will be possible in five years that isn’t today? “I just want to leave you with that optimism and that question.”

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September 11, 2024

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We must give students a mental health lifeline for the school year, says expert

by Alison Malmon, Chicago Tribune

students

As students return to school, it's crucial to recognize the invisible struggles they may be facing, especially after the summer break. Navigating new academic and social environments can intensify mental health challenges or even trigger new ones.

Providing students with tools and emotional literacy to support one another and address feelings of loneliness is vital to building a culture of care and resilience that can genuinely make a long-lasting difference in their well-being.

The reality is stark: Youth suicide rates have risen steadily over the last 15 years and are currently the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 and the third for those ages 15 to 24. These statistics are more than just numbers—they're deeply personal to me.

Young adults are most likely to turn to a friend first when struggling with their mental health, yet 70% of peers do not feel prepared to provide support. Peer-based emotional support is not about solving someone's problems; it's about creating an environment in which emotions can be openly shared and help can be sought without fear of judgment.

The need for such safe spaces is urgent. More than one-fifth of high school students have seriously considered suicide. In college, nearly 30% of students report severe psychological distress associated with an increasing feeling of loneliness. Now more than ever, youths need safe spaces to express their feelings, establish support systems and build emotional literacy within their communities.

Emotional support has a profound impact on mental health. With the proper knowledge, young people can be powerful agents for change. Peer-led organizations such as Active Minds illustrate how student networks can break down mental health stigma and build trust and respect within their communities. These systems educate students about mental health awareness, decrease stigma and increase behaviors that establish a solid foundation for a supportive network.

Since half of all mental health issues begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24—critical years when connections among peers are strongest—these relationships can offer crucial lifelines. To prepare students for the new school year, they need resources to guide their mental health throughout the year. By consistently checking in, offering a safe space and maintaining open communication, youths can help peers who might be struggling.

Its essential to recognize that not all challenges are experienced equally. Social stigma is a significant barrier to mental health care , but it disproportionately affects communities of color, where preconceived notions and biases create substantial obstacles to receiving appropriate support.

Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health challenges and face a higher risk of suicide compared with members of other racial groups. Despite this, Black college students are statistically less likely to receive a mental health diagnosis. To address this disparity, targeted support and culturally responsive resources are essential in ensuring that all young people, regardless of their background, feel recognized, supported and encouraged to seek the help they need.

With students heading back to school, it's vital to prioritize mental health discussions, especially as 67% of young adults with mental health symptoms won't receive the care they need.

2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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    Examples of systemic racism-related psychology research topics include: Access to mental health resources based on race. The prevalence of BIPOC mental health therapists in a chosen area. The impact of systemic racism on mental health and self-worth. Racism training for mental health workers.

  17. 7 Potential Research Titles About Depression

    The possible causes of depression are many and not yet well understood. However, it most likely results from an interplay of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors. Your depression research paper could explore one or more of these causes and reference the latest research on the topic. For instance, how does an imbalance in brain ...

  18. Mental Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Focuses and Trends

    The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced the world. In wave after wave, many countries suffered from the pandemic, which caused social instability, hindered global growth, and harmed mental health. Although research has been published on various mental health issues during the pandemic, some profound effects on mental health are ...

  19. Research Guides: Psychology Research Guide: Mental Health

    The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research agency in the world. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  20. Health Psychology Topics: Research Ideas

    Heath psychology topics can look at a range of issues related to health, illness, and healthcare. It may include such things as eating disorders, weight management, diet, exercise, stress coping, women's health, and more. Health psychology, also known as medical psychology or behavioral medicine, focuses on how biology, psychology, behavior ...

  21. Qualitative Research Methods in Mental Health

    As the evidence base for the study of mental health problems develops, there is a need for increasingly rigorous and systematic research methodologies. Complex questions require complex methodological approaches. Recognising this, the MRC guidelines for developing and testing complex interventions place qualitative methods as integral to each stage of intervention development and implementation.

  22. Social Vulnerability Linked With Mental Health and Substance Use

    A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry uncovers significant associations between social vulnerability — a measurement that aggregates social determinants of health like socioeconomic status, housing type, education and insurance coverage — and the prevalence and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in the United States. . The results have the potential to reshape public ...

  23. 211 Mental Health Research Topics & Essay Examples

    Extraversion, Mental Health and Self-Esteem. Psychology essay sample: The study aims to investigate if a link between extraversion personality, mental health, and self-esteem exist. Mental Health: Case Study of S. Psychology essay sample: This paper is devoted to the case of a woman I know personally.

  24. The mental health of college students and the level of academic

    Objectives: This paper aimed to increase knowledge about the psychological well-being and self-control of students during their college years and the impact of these indicators on academic performance. Sample and settings: The researchers developed and integrated a semester psychological elective course "Successful Learning". During this course, the students received theoretical ...

  25. GOVT 230 Research Paper (pdf)

    Brower 7 Legislative History There are great examples of state and federal bills recognizing the need to address mental health. For example, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act 24 is an amazing bill that was passed at the federal level. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 25 , "Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is a federal law ...

  26. How to Create a Mental Health Action Plan

    The latest mental health figures paint a sobering picture. According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 23% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021. Additionally ...

  27. Big Ideas in Medicine conference explores 'audacious' healthcare

    Speakers at the two-day event, sponsored by the Medical Humanities and the Arts Program, discussed a variety of topics that encouraged attendees to reimagine what the health care field could look ...

  28. How Newly Identified Biomarkers Could Reveal Risk Factors for SIDS

    For example, infants with lower levels of C-3 and elevated levels of C-14OH appear to have a higher risk of dying from SIDS. ... These findings are in line with previous research that has found an association between enzymes of fatty acid oxidation, like these, and SIDS. ... Strong Insurance Laws Help Kids Get Access to Mental Health Care. Stay ...

  29. Wildfire smoke exposure boosts risk of mental illness in youth

    Each additional day of exposure to wildfire smoke and other extreme forms of dirty air boosts the risk of mental illness in youth a little more, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder ...

  30. We must give students a mental health lifeline for the school year

    Since half of all mental health issues begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24—critical years when connections among peers are strongest—these relationships can offer crucial lifelines.