Bibliometric Insights into Green Spaces and Mental Illness: Trends, Challenges, and Emerging Frontiers

Amid increasing urbanization and escalating global mental health concerns, understanding the environmental determinants of mental illness has become a research priority. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of global research exploring the intersection of green spaces and mental illness. Drawing on 2136 peer-reviewed articles and review papers published between 1990 and 2024 from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus, this study examined publication trends, geographic and institutional contributions, research hotspots, and thematic evolution. Findings reveal a sharp increase in scholarly output since 2012, reflecting heightened interdisciplinary engagement and alignment with global frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom are leading contributors. Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlights major themes such as green spaces, mental health, physical activity, urban planning, and air pollution. Despite notable progress, the field faces methodological inconsistencies, limited integration of air quality data, and a lack of representation from low- and middle-income countries. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the research progress and gaps, supporting the development of nature-based strategies and sustainable urban planning to mitigate mental illness and promote psychological resilience.