Adolescent minds under the microscope: a decade bibliometric study of mental health of a global trend

As individuals transition through adolescence, they encounter a complex interplay of developmental challenges that profoundly impact their psychological and emotional wellbeing. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), these challenges are exacerbated by limited healthcare resources, underscoring a need for a comprehensive understanding of adolescent mental health. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 364 peer-reviewed articles from the Scopus database, leveraging Biblioshiny for data management and VOSviewer for visualising publication trends, identifying key contributors and mapping global collaboration networks in adolescent mental health research from 2014 to 2024. Analysis reveals a 300% increase in research output, peaking in 2023. Key themes include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and strong international collaboration, especially with researchers from the USA, UK and Australia. This study highlights the need for innovative approaches in research and policy, including the implementation of 'digital detox zones', AI-driven mental health assessments and community-based mental health hubs.