Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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The Lancet Psychiatry is a journal focused on clinical psychiatry and mental health. It publishes clinical research, expert reviews, comment, and opinion spanning psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, psychosocial approaches, psychiatric disorders across the life course, innovative treatments, biological research, service delivery, social psychiatry, and advocacy for the rights of people with mental health disorders.
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Subject
Psychiatry
Impact Factor
24.8
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
2215-0374
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
USD 8,810 APC for open access in The Lancet Psychiatry as of Jan 1, 2026.
Submission Instructions
Lancet Psychiatry accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Article
Cover Letter
A covering letter is required for first submissions. The covering letter must explain why the paper should be published in The Lancet Psychiatry rather than elsewhere.
Abstract
A semistructured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 300 words. Abstract must be semistructured in five paragraphs. Abstract must contain the headings Background, Methods, Outcomes, Interpretation, and Funding.
Manuscript
Articles must be up to 3500 words, or up to 4500 words for randomised controlled trials. Manuscript must include a Research in context panel, and for research Articles with a single primary outcome based on a measurement instrument the Methods section must include a sub-section titled "Choice of primary measure". Manuscript must include contributor information at the end of the text, declaration of interests and funding statements, an AI-use disclosure statement in the acknowledgments if generative AI was used for writing, a brief Methods sub-section on lived experience involvement, a limitations statement in the Discussion if there was no lived experience involvement, and a data sharing statement at the end of the manuscript.
References
Articles must have 30 references. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, journal names must use Index Medicus abbreviations, up to six authors must all be listed, and references with seven or more authors must list the first three followed by et al.
Figures & Tables
First submissions should include the manuscript including tables and panels, and should include figures. When reporting Kaplan-Meier survival data, numbers at risk must be included at each timepoint.
Review
Cover Letter
A covering letter is required for first submissions. The covering letter must explain why the paper should be published in The Lancet Psychiatry rather than elsewhere.
Abstract
Reviews must include an abstract in the form of a summary. The summary must be no more than 150 words. The summary must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Reviews should be up to 4500 words. Reviews must include a brief section entitled "Search strategy and selection criteria". The manuscript must include author contribution details at the end of the text, declaration of interests and source of funding statements, and any required AI use disclosure at the end of the article with additional methods detail for AI used in review development.
References
Reviews must have no more than 100 references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially as superscript numbers after punctuation, use standard Index Medicus journal abbreviations, list all authors if there are six or fewer, list the first three followed by et al if there are seven or more, and include URL plus access date for online material.
Figures & Tables
Reviews should include about five illustrations, tables, and figures. The manuscript must include tables and panels, and figures must be included with the first submission.
Series
Cover Letter
A covering letter must be included with the first submission. The covering letter must explain why the paper should be published in The Lancet Psychiatry rather than elsewhere.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Series must include two or more evidenced reviews. Authors must specify individual contributions at the end of the text, include declaration of interests and source of funding statements, and disclose any use of generative AI in writing in a statement at the end of the article in the Acknowledgments section with the model name, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References
References must use Vancouver numbering style with superscript numbers cited sequentially in the text after punctuation marks. Journal names must be abbreviated in Index Medicus form, references with six or fewer authors must list all authors, references with seven or more authors must list the first three followed by et al, online sources must include the URL and access date, and personal communications and unpublished work must be cited in the text rather than in the reference list.
Figures & Tables
The first submission must include the manuscript including tables and panels and must also include figures.
Correspondence
Cover Letter
A covering letter is required for first submissions. The covering letter must explain why the paper should be published in The Lancet Psychiatry rather than elsewhere.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Correspondence must be no longer than 400 words. Author contributions, a Declaration of interests statement, source of funding information, and an AI-use disclosure statement in the acknowledgments are required at the end of the text when applicable.
References
Correspondence must have no more than five references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, journal names must be abbreviated in Index Medicus form, and references with seven or more authors must list the first three followed by et al.
Figures & Tables
Only one table or figure is permitted. First submissions must include the manuscript including tables and panels, and figures must also be included.
Perspectives
Cover Letter
A covering letter is required for first submissions. The covering letter must explain why the paper should be published in The Lancet Psychiatry rather than elsewhere.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Essays should be around 1700 words, while "A letter from..." manuscripts must be no more than 800 words. Essays must be written in descriptive prose, and "A letter from..." manuscripts must be narrative-style essays. Contributors' individual contributions must be specified at the end of the text, and any use of generative AI in writing must be disclosed in a statement at the end of the article in the acknowledgments section including the model name, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References
Essays may include up to five references, while "A letter from..." manuscripts must have no references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, with journal names abbreviated in Index Medicus style and author listings giving all authors if six or fewer or the first three followed by et al if seven or more.
Figures & Tables
The manuscript must include tables and panels, and figures must be included with the first submission.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
3 days from submission to first decision; 36 days from submission to decision after review; 33 days from submission to acceptance; 52 days from acceptance to online publication.
Reformat to Lancet Psychiatry using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
The Lancet Psychiatry is a hybrid journal with an open access APC of USD 8,810 as of Jan 1, 2026. APCs are paid only after acceptance.
Reformat to Lancet Psychiatry using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
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Schizophrenia research and treatment
Mental Health and Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Treatment of Major Depression
Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Child and Adolescent Health
Mental Health Research Topics
Migration, Health and Trauma
Tryptophan and brain disorders
Digital Mental Health Interventions
Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Psychiatric care and mental health services
Health disparities and outcomes
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Mental Health and Patient Involvement
Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
Child Abuse and Trauma