The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in studying mental health service delivery: A scoping review

Bijayalaxmi Biswal; Rakshanda Paimapari; Arya Suresh; Marimilha Grace Pacheco; Luanna Fernandes; Yashi Gandhi; Vikram Patel; Daisy Radha Singla; Anisah Fernandes; Richard Velleman; Chunling Lu; Chris Grundy; Urvita Bhatia; Abhijit Nadkarni

doi:10.1017/gmh.2025.10088

The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in studying mental health service delivery: A scoping review

Bijayalaxmi Biswal, Rakshanda Paimapari, Arya Suresh, Marimilha Grace Pacheco, Luanna Fernandes, Yashi Gandhi, Vikram Patel, Daisy Radha Singla, Anisah Fernandes, Richard Velleman, Chunling Lu, Chris Grundy, Urvita Bhatia, Abhijit Nadkarni

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) are computer-based spatial mapping tools widely used in public health to examine service availability and access disparities and healthcare utilization. While GIS has supported evidence-based health planning in various domains, its application in mental healthcare service delivery remains underexplored. Our scoping review aimed to address this gap by exploring the scope and type of GIS usage in studying three dimensions of mental health (MH) service delivery (availability, accessibility and utilization), across all geographical locations, settings and populations. We conducted a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. We included peer-reviewed English-language studies using GIS to examine service delivery (availability, accessibility or utilization) for any MH condition diagnosed through standardized criteria or validated tools. Seven databases were searched (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online [MEDLINE], PsycINFO, Excerpta Medica Database [Embase], Global Health, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL] and Web of Science) between January and April 2024. This review included 58 studies predominantly from high-income countries. A wide range of GIS methods were employed across studies, including hotspot analysis, network analysis and spatial analysis. Six studies explored availability, generally through measures like distribution of facilities across a population, and resource availability within 5–10-mile network buffers. Forty-six studies explored the spatial accessibility of MH services and substance-use treatment facilities using GIS. Six studies examined service utilization patterns. Equity emerged as a recurring theme across all three dimensions. GIS has the potential to emerge as a powerful tool in MH research, particularly in mapping disparities, informing service delivery and identifying high-risk zones. Expanding GIS use in trial design, implementation science and policy advocacy could help bridge critical gaps in MH service delivery, ensuring more equitable and data-driven decision-making.

Original language	English
Article number	e132
Number of pages	17
Journal	Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health
Volume	12
Early online date	11 Nov 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.10088
Publication status	Published - 11 Nov 2025

Data Availability Statement

Data availability is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

Funding

This study was a part of the IMPlementation of evidencebased facility and community interventions to reduce the treatment gap for depRESSion (IMPRESS) program that has been funded through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), United States (Grant Number R01MH115504). Competing interests.

Keywords

digital technologies
efficiency
global mental health
global mental health delivery
health inequalities

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health Policy
Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1017/gmh.2025.10088Licence: CC BY

Cite this

Biswal, B., Paimapari, R., Suresh, A., Pacheco, M. G., Fernandes, L., Gandhi, Y., Patel, V., Singla, D. R., Fernandes, A., Velleman, R., Lu, C., Grundy, C., Bhatia, U., & Nadkarni, A. (2025). The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in studying mental health service delivery: A scoping review. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 12, Article e132. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.10088

Biswal, B, Paimapari, R, Suresh, A, Pacheco, MG, Fernandes, L, Gandhi, Y, Patel, V, Singla, DR, Fernandes, A, Velleman, R, Lu, C, Grundy, C, Bhatia, U & Nadkarni, A 2025, 'The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in studying mental health service delivery: A scoping review', Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, vol. 12, e132. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2025.10088

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AU - Gandhi, Yashi

AU - Patel, Vikram

AU - Singla, Daisy Radha

AU - Fernandes, Anisah

AU - Velleman, Richard

AU - Lu, Chunling

AU - Grundy, Chris

AU - Bhatia, Urvita

AU - Nadkarni, Abhijit

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The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in studying mental health service delivery: A scoping review

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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