When age meets mind understanding the changing landscape of elderly mental health

The rapid global increase in the elderly population has been accompanied by growing attention to mental health challenges in later life. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on mental health among the elderly, aiming to identify publication trends, thematic developments, and key contributors in the field. Data was retrieved from the Scopus database on May 10, 2023, using relevant keywords related to mental health and aging. A total of 1,912 documents from 741 sources published between 2013 and 2022 were analyzed using VOSViewer and Biblioshiny to map co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks. The results indicate a marked rise in publications during 2020–2021, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia as leading contributors. Thematic analysis identified five major clusters: aging and mental health, social factors, trauma and PTSD, geriatric resilience, and cognitive function. A noticeable shift was observed from traditional topics such as depression and quality of life toward more holistic, community-based, and resilience-oriented approaches. This study offers a clear overview of the evolving research landscape on elderly mental health and identifies gaps for future exploration, including mental health literacy, digital interventions, and cross-cultural care models. The findings provide a strategic roadmap for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and promote mental well-being in an aging global population.