Finding out more - open access research journals
Many health research articles covering mental health issues are available in journals that can only be accessed by subscription. If you are attached to an educational institutional or an organisation that can subscribe to these, you have lots of articles at your fingertips.
But what if you don't have access to subscription journals, but still have an interest in reading and researching at this level?
Sometimes subscription journals make some of their articles open to the public, so it can be worth having a look around on library websites for lists of journals. Or you could even try your local public library network.
Additionally, there are also some peer-reviewed open access journals out there that you can access free and openly, and we've listed these below as a place to get started.
Open access journals that cover mental health issues
Note: Publications have been listed here if they fit the criteria of being open access and peer reviewed and with a scope that covers mental health issues.
The inclusion of a journal in this list does not necessarily reflect an official recommendation by the authors of this website. Individuals should make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of information contained in these links.
Annals of General Psychiatry
http://www.annals-general-psychiatry.com/
All aspects of psychiatry, including neuroscience and psychological medicine. Both basic and clinical neuroscience contributions are encouraged.
BMC Psychiatry
http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpsychiatry/
Considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders.
Case Reports in Psychiatry
http://www.hindawi.com/crim/psychiatry/
Publishes case reports in all areas of psychiatry.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
An international platform for rapid and comprehensive scientific communication on child and adolescent mental health across different cultural backgrounds. The journal is aimed at clinicians and researchers focused on improving the knowledge base for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents. In addition, aspects which are still underrepresented in the traditional journals such as neurobiology and neuropsychology of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence are considered as well. CAPMH aims to help integrate basic science, clinical research and practical implementation of research findings
Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health
http://www.bentham.org/open/cpemh/index.htm
Publishes research articles, reviews, Letters. in all areas of clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health covering the following topics: Clinical and epidemiological research in psychiatry and mental health; diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of mental health conditions; and frequencies and determinants of mental health conditions in the community and the populations at risk; research and economic aspects of psychiatry, with special attention given to manuscripts presenting new results and methods in the area; and clinical epidemiologic investigation of pharmaceutical agents.
Depression Research and Treatment
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/drt/
Publishes original research articles, review articles, and clinical studies related to all aspects of depression.
The European Journal of Psychiatry
http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php/script_sci_serial/lng_en/pid_0213-6163/nrm_iso
Reports the scientific activity of European psychiatrists. It is open to psychiatry, Mental Health and all related fields.
Health Psychology Research
http://www.healthpsychres.org/
Publishes original research on all aspects of psychology related to health, behavioral medicine, health-related quality of life and illness. The journal’s scope reflects the wide application of health psychology study in medical settings. The contents include work on health attitudes and behaviour, health locus of control, quality of life in chronic disease, influence of emotion on health and health-related behaviours, psychological interventions in health and disease as well as psychological aspects of prevention. They also include work regarding the impact of rehabilitation programmes on individuals’ health, independence and choice, functional abilities, and social role participation across the lifespan.
International Journal of Mental Health Systems
An open access, online journal that provides a home for the latest mental health system research, policy and debates, as well as for articles with educational intent that will build capacity for mental health system research and development.
International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
This publication is dedicated to the enhancement of practice, program development, program evaluation and innovations in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs worldwide. Its goal is to provide a public forum for practitioners, consumers and researchers to address the multiple service needs of patients and families and help determine what works, for whom under a variety of circumstances.
International Journal of Wellbeing
http://www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/index
Original high-quality scholarly articles on the topic of wellbeing, broadly construed.
The Internet Journal of Mental Health
A peer reviewed journal that accepts submissions with a broadly defined definition of mental health. This includes manuscripts discussing psychiatric disorders, psychological strengths, psychological difficulties, the interaction of physical and mental health, and the psychosocial aspects of both medical and psychiatric disorders.
Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.cacap-acpea.org/en/cacap/Journal_p828.html
Publishes original scholarly and research papers on any topic relevant to child and adolescent mental health. The Journal strives to meet the needs of interdisciplinary mental health care practitioners, including child and adolescent psychiatry, child and adolescent psychology, pediatrics, pharmacology, nursing, sociology, occupational therapy, educators and academics.
Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
A quarterly publication of the Indian Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (IACAM), whose mission is to publish original manuscripts in all areas of child and adolescent mental health, focusing on public health, clinical epidemiology, basic science and mental health problems. To achieve these aims we publish original scientific studies, review and educational articles, and papers commenting on the clinical, scientific, social, political, and economic factors affecting child and adolescent mental health
Mental Illness
http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/mi
Online-only, international, Open Access peer-reviewed journal which publishes scientific papers concerning the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Open Journal of Psychiatry
http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojpsych/
The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of psychiatry
Psychology of Well-Being: Theory, Research and Practice
Devoted to understanding the biopsychosocial and behavioural factors leading to enhanced well-being, optimal emotional processing and the prevention of psychological dysfunction.
Psychology, Community & Health
http://pch.psychopen.eu/index.php/pch
Specialized in the field of psychology. It focuses particularly on research developed in community- and health-related contexts.
Thank you to the Flinders University Library for compiling this list!