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This study explores the current state of mental health literature with a focus on scholar-centered research in higher education. A comprehensive bibliometric review was conducted using a range of tools, including VOSviewer, Biblioshiny (R-package), and Publish or Perish, analyzing data from the Scopus database. A total of 1.935 journal articles, spanning publications from 1919 to 2026, were systematically reviewed, with a steady increase in annual publications, particularly in the last decade. The analysis reveals that mental health in higher education settings has become a prominent research area, with key themes such as student well-being, depression, stress, and academic pressure frequently emerging in the literature. The leading countries contributing to this research include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with major institutions driving the scholarly output.
The study also identifies prominent journals like Journal of American College Health and Educational Psychology Review, which have significantly shaped the field. Additionally, the research emphasizes the critical role of higher education policies in supporting student mental health, particularly post-COVID-19, while highlighting the increasing relevance of digital mental health tools and online interventions. Despite the growing body of literature, gaps remain in addressing intersectional mental health issues, particularly concerning marginalized student populations. The findings suggest that future research should focus on innovative interventions and the broader societal factors influencing student mental health, providing key insights into the evolving landscape of academic and student mental health research.