Purpose - This systematic review aims to examine the developing academic dialogue about the connection between mental health and social inclusion, intending to identify significant impediments, treatments and outcomes that influence this relationship. It examines the evolution of the literature, identifies the journals that significantly contribute to the area and delineates the prevailing conceptual topics in the discourse. Design/methodology/approach - Research used the Web of Science database and implemented a focused search approach to locate relevant publications published till 2024. A total of 85 peer-reviewed papers were included after the application of PRISMA-based inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bibliometric and thematic analysis were performed to investigate publication trends, journal distribution, keyword co-occurrence and fundamental discoveries across several fields. Findings - Analysis indicates a growing academic focus on social inclusion as both a factor and result of mental health, especially after 2018. Prevalent obstacles include stigma, prejudice, poverty and structural injustices. Interventions include community-based programs, peer-led assistance, digital tools and social businesses, yielding claimed enhancements in self-esteem, community integration and mental well-being. Psychiatry, social work and public health journals predominate in the publishing scene, with keywords indicating a transition toward rights-based and holistic frameworks. Originality/value - This study provides a thorough, multidisciplinary synthesis of the intersection between mental health and social inclusion, highlighting the need for context-sensitive, multi-tiered interventions. It provides novel insights into how inclusion-oriented treatments might facilitate mental health recovery, while also underscoring enduring deficiencies - especially with intersectionality and systemic transformation.