Contents:
- Criteria for Evaluating Depression and Anxiety Journals
- Editorial Standards and Peer Review Process
- The Top 10 Depression and Anxiety Journals
Criteria for Evaluating Depression and Anxiety Journals
How do you select the depression and anxiety journal that’s right for your research?
The process can be long and stressful, with lots to coordinate. You might have deadlines around major conferences, commercial pressures…and of course, the worry that if you choose the wrong journal, you’ll damage both your own credibility and that of your organisation.
We’ve helped 1000s of researchers, academics and publications managers find the perfect journal for their research. These are the criteria we use to evaluate them.
Impact Factor and Citation Metrics
Impact factor (and its related citation metrics) are commonly used benchmarks for assessing depression and anxiety journals. They help quantify a publication’s influence within the academic community, and most researchers are keen to get published in a journal with as high an impact factor as possible.
But how useful is impact factor, really?
The impact factor of a depression journal gives you a quick snapshot of how widely read – and therefore impactful – it might be.
Tracking and ranking depression and mental health journals by impact factor is a useful starting point, but rankings alone don’t tell the entire story. You should also consider the journal’s scope, editorial board expertise, and the rigour of its peer review process.
These elements can be just as critical to ensuring a journal’s overall quality as numerical indicators like citation counts.
When we support our clients with journal selection and submission, we’ll take account of all these factors.
Get the Predatory Journal Checklist
Ensure the credibility of your chosen journal and protect the integrity of your research. Use our comprehensive guide to steer clear of predatory journals and confidently publish your findings.

Editorial Standards and Peer Review Process
The editorial standards and peer review process of a journal often determine the reliability and credibility of its articles. Leading journals, such as the Journal of Anxiety Disorders or Depression and Anxiety, typically employ a thorough vetting system where experts in the field evaluate submissions for methodological soundness, clarity of argument, and novelty.
Journals that uphold strict editorial policies are more likely to publish high-quality research, thus serving as indispensable resources for anyone working in mental health.
Whether you are preparing a journal submission or simply looking to expand your understanding of the field, prioritising publications with robust peer review frameworks will help ensure you’re engaging with trustworthy and influential content.