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Purpose: Today, mental health is a critical issue worldwide that not only impacts individuals' quality of life but also leads to economic and social consequences for societies when there are deficiencies in this area. Despite the development of mental health infrastructure and services in recent years, significant funding has yet to be allocated to address these needs. To promote and enhance mental health, it is essential to not only identify weaknesses but also allocate an adequate budget for this area. This becomes feasible when there is a comprehensive understanding of the mental health status within local communities. To understand the mental health of a society, it is essential to examine the research conducted in this field. By evaluating scientific outputs, one can gain a comprehensive understanding of the mental health status of the local community. Additionally, by assessing the financial support for scientific articles, it is possible to gauge the efforts of organizations aimed at improving mental health within society. The current research aims to analyze the financial support of institutions concerning research outputs in the field of mental health in Iran, using a scientometric approach. The goal of this study is to conduct a scientometric analysis of research outputs that received financial support in the field of mental health in Iran, as indexed in the Web of Science database. Methodology: The current scientometric research consists of applied studies utilizing a quantitative approach. Data collection was conducted through documentary analysis, employing bibliometric techniques and co-occurrence of words. The research community comprises 3,833 sources, representing all research outputs with financial support in the field of mental health in Iran, which are indexed in the Web of Science database. In this research, no time limit was imposed, and all research outputs related to financial support in the field of mental health in Iran, as indexed in the Web of Science database, were considered. To extract data, a search strategy was employed. In exploring strategies within the field of mental health, concepts with the strongest semantic connections to mental health were taken into account. The analysis of the research questions was conducted using three software programs: Excel, BibExcel, and VOSviewer Findings: The leading financial sponsors among university units in the country were Tehran University of Medical Sciences, with 628 cases; Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, with 231 cases; and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, with 230 cases. Among non-academic organizations, the most financial support has been provided by the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) with 156 cases, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MHME) of Iran with 67 cases, and the National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD) with 59 cases. The British Medical Research Council (MRC) contributed 49 cases, followed by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) with 40 cases, and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) with 38 cases, making them the top three foreign organizations, respectively. The studies identify nine subject clusters, with significant emphasis on issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, mental health, mental disorders, COVID-19, quality of life, and schizophrenia. The top three researchers receiving financial support in the field of mental health are Shahin Akhundzadeh, Mojgan Mirghforvand, and Vafa Rahimi Movaghar. Conclusion: Most of the financial sponsors for mental health research in Iran are affiliated with organizations under the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, along with other entities that have not traditionally engaged as financial sponsors in this field. This lack of participation may stem from an improper division of responsibilities within the country's organizations; consequently, the Ministry of Health is recognized as the primary center of activity. Additionally, on an international level, financial support is restricted to a few specific institutions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to enhance collaboration and establish more connections with foreign organizations. Finally, it is anticipated that the results of this study will contribute to the development of an evidence-based information system regarding mental health research and its supporting infrastructure in the country. Scientometric analysis can be instrumental in evaluating the growth and application of knowledge, thereby aiding effective planning for scientific policymakers to enhance financial research support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
