Towards Financial Inclusivity for Mental Health Patients: A Bibliometric Analysis on Mental Health Parity

We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the mental health parity research area, to identify the performance and collaborative networks of the constituents of the research areas, as well as examining the key themes in the topic of debates in the research area. Key findings reveal that highly productive sources, authors, and affiliations tend to exhibit greater impact. Furthermore, most research publications are concentrated in mental health-related journals, with a smaller presence in economics and law journals. The United States stands out as the primary contributor to this area. Co-authorship is a common practice, both domestically and internationally. Through thematic analysis, core themes such as psychological distress, mental health services, and parity of esteem emerge as central areas of focus, indicating their ongoing significance in the field. Additionally, emerging themes including the mental health parity act, access to care, and advocacy demonstrate growing research attention. Drawing from these findings, future research directions are suggested, particularly in the realm of financial inclusion. Furthermore, researchers focusing on the Malaysian context are encouraged to explore gaps in mental health services and the implications of the Mental Health Act 2001, while also considering the costs of providing mental health insurance and its impact on national productivity. Overall, this study provides a valuable overview of the mental health parity research area, shedding light on its current state and offering insights for future exploration.