Review Policy

The International Journal of Global Mental Health, Innovation, Policy, Action, Culture, and Transformation follows a rigorous Double-Blind Peer Review Process to ensure the highest standards of academic quality, objectivity, and fairness. Neither the authors nor the reviewers are aware of each other’s identities throughout the review process.

Review Process:

1. Initial Screening
   All submissions undergo a preliminary review by the editorial team to assess suitability, originality, scope alignment, plagiarism, and adherence to author guidelines.
2. Assignment to Reviewers
   Manuscripts passing the initial check are assigned to two or more independent reviewers with subject-matter expertise. In special cases, additional reviewers may be invited.
3. Double-Blind Peer Review
   The manuscript is evaluated based on originality, research design, clarity, contribution to the field, ethical standards, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
4. Review Timeline
   The typical time frame for review is 3–6 weeks. However, authors will be kept informed of any delays in the process.
5. Editorial Decision
   Based on reviewer recommendations, the editor may make one of the following decisions:
   • Accept
   • Accept with Minor Revisions
   • Revise and Resubmit (Major Revisions)
   • Reject
6. Revisions and Resubmissions
   Authors are expected to revise the manuscript as per reviewers’ and editors’ suggestions and submit a detailed response letter addressing each comment.
7. Final Decision and Acceptance
   The revised submission is reviewed again (if needed), and a final decision is made by the editorial board. Once accepted, the manuscript enters the production and publication pipeline.

Additional Notes:

• Ethical Responsibility: Reviewers are expected to follow confidentiality, declare conflicts of interest, and review objectively without bias.
• Reviewer Recognition: IMPACT acknowledges the valuable contributions of peer reviewers and may issue certificates of appreciation on request.
• Plagiarism Check: All accepted manuscripts must pass a mandatory plagiarism check. Submissions with high similarity indexes will be returned or rejected.
• Editorial Discretion: The editorial board reserves the right to reject any manuscript that does not meet academic standards or falls outside the journal's scope, even before peer review.
• Appeals Process: Authors who wish to appeal a decision must submit a formal request with justifications. The appeal will be reviewed by an independent editor.