European Psychiatry: 2024 in review

As we reflect on 2024, European Psychiatry continues to grow in its influence, showcasing exceptional research that advances our understanding of mental health and psychiatric care. Our editorial team has worked tirelessly to uphold the highest ethical and publishing standards and to present groundbreaking research to our readers.

This past year, we featured several key studies, including topics such as youth mental health [1], addictions [2], mood disorders [3–5], suicide [6], and fetal and postpartum mental health [7-9]. We also explored the therapeutic potential and challenges of emerging treatments, including psychedelics [10–11] and neuromodulation [12].

Submissions to European Psychiatry continue to rise, reflecting the journal’s reputation as a trusted outlet for high-impact research. In 2024, we received 627 submissions and published 88 papers following rigorous peer review, ensuring that only the most innovative and informative studies were accepted. Other metrics establishing the influence of European Psychiatry in 2024 include the Journal Impact Factor, which is 7.2, and the more than 1.5 million downloads of articles from our website. Finally, European Psychiatry is ranked 15th among 279 psychiatry journals based on Clarivate Analytics. Table 1 showcases our top five articles published in 2024 with the highest number of views/downloads from the Cambridge Core platform, the top five articles based on Altmetric scores reflecting their impact in the news and social media [13], and the top five articles with the highest number of citations based on data from Dimensions.ai [14]. This success is due, in no small part, to the dedication of our expert peer reviewers and our editorial team, whose contributions are instrumental in maintaining the journal’s excellence.

Table 1. Most influential papers published in 2024

Downloads from Cambridge Core (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/); Altmetric Scores based on https://www.altmetric.com/; Citations based on https://app.dimensions.ai/. Data correct as of January 6th 2025.

The scope of the journal extends beyond research articles and includes Viewpoints, Guidance, and Position papers. Viewpoints provide concise, expert opinions or perspectives on current issues, emerging trends, or challenges in psychiatry and mental health. These articles aim to stimulate discussion, propose innovative ideas, or offer critical analyses of policies, practices, or research findings, often addressing topics at the intersection of science, clinical practice, and societal impact. They are typically evidence-informed but focus on interpretation and thought leadership rather than presenting original research. As European Psychiatry is the voice of the European Psychiatric Association, we publish Position and Guidance papers that articulate the official stance or perspective of the association on specific topics in psychiatry or mental health. Position papers are grounded in evidence and provide a comprehensive analysis of a topic, outlining key challenges, supporting data, and proposed recommendations. These papers aim to influence policy or shape research priorities, offering a clear and authoritative voice on critical issues within the field. In 2024, our position papers explored the importance of digitization for mental health [15] and the mental health challenges of climate change [16].

Our Guidance papers provide practical recommendations or frameworks to inform clinical practice or policy development in psychiatry and mental health. These papers focus on translating current knowledge into actionable steps, addressing gaps in practice, or standardizing approaches within the field. They aim to assist clinicians, researchers, and policymakers in making informed decisions and improving outcomes. In 2024, our Guidance paper provided a synthesis of the evidence on lifestyle interventions for adults with severe mental illness [17]. Finally, our editorial team is also active during the annual meetings of the association where workshops on scientific writing and publishing are organized.

We continue to focus on diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that the journal reflects broad perspectives while also highlighting success and challenges within Europe. We note our ongoing open call for articles on the theme of “Population Neuroscience Perspectives of Psychopathology.” This special collection aims to showcase how large-scale studies can enhance our understanding of the underpinnings of mental disorders. Contributions with data from diverse populations are particularly encouraged

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our content further. We are pleased to announce a special call for papers on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in psychiatry and mental health. We invite submissions that explore the application of AI across all areas of psychiatry and mental health, including but not limited to the following: (a) AI-based diagnostic tools and predictive models; (b) Machine learning applications in treatment personalization and response prediction; (c) Ethical challenges and considerations in deploying AI in mental health care; (d) AI-driven advancements in neuroimaging and computational psychiatry; (e) The role of AI in addressing mental health disparities and improving access to care; and (f) Interdisciplinary approaches combining AI with other emerging technologies. Submissions may include original research, reviews and viewpoints that critically assess the potential as well as the limitations, and future directions of AI in psychiatry.

As we enter 2025, we thank our authors, reviewers, and readers for their continued support. Together, we will continue to advance the field where European Psychiatry serves as a platform for meaningful and transformative research.