The Archives of Psychiatry and Mental Health (APMH) is committed to respecting, protecting, and maintaining the privacy of all authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and website visitors. This Privacy Statement outlines the types of information we collect, how it is used, how it is secured, and the rights of individuals interacting with our services. While the predecessor website referenced general data handling in its submission and communication processes, this updated statement fully aligns with modern international privacy laws—including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and best practices adopted throughout the scholarly publishing community.

1. Scope of This Privacy Statement

This Privacy Statement applies to all services offered by APMH, including:

The APMH website and its sub-pages
Manuscript submission and peer review systems
Email communications with editorial staff
Reader and subscriber interactions
Online forms, metadata, and analytical tools

By accessing our website, submitting a manuscript, reviewing an article, or participating in editorial or administrative activities, individuals agree to this Privacy Statement.

2. Information We Collect

APMH collects personal and non-personal information to support editorial, peer-review, and publishing processes. Information categories include:

2.1 Personal Information Provided by Users

Name, institutional affiliation, and position
Email address(es) and professional contact information
ORCID iD, researcher identifiers, or profile links
Manuscript files, cover letters, and metadata
Peer-review reports and editorial comments
Billing information (for APC payments)

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

IP address and browser type
Device and operating system details
Pages visited and session duration
Cookies and analytics data

This information helps improve site functionality, security, and user experience.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

APMH processes personal data under the following legal bases:

Contractual necessity: Managing submissions, peer review, publishing, and author communication.
Legitimate interest: Improving journal quality, tracking publication metrics, fraud prevention.
Consent: When users voluntarily provide information or subscribe to communications.
Legal obligations: Requirements for archiving, reporting misconduct, or maintaining scholarly records.

4. How We Use Collected Information

Information is used solely for scholarly communication and journal operations. Common uses include:

Managing manuscript submissions and peer review
Contacting authors, reviewers, and editors
Assigning DOIs and metadata deposit to Crossref
Providing publication updates and notifications
Improving website performance
Ensuring compliance with ethics and publication standards

APMH does not sell, rent, or commercially trade personal data.

5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

APMH limits data sharing to what is necessary for scholarly publishing. Data may be shared with:

Editors and reviewers: For evaluation of manuscripts.
Crossref: For DOI registration and metadata distribution.
Indexing services: As part of standard academic dissemination.
Payment processors: Secure APC transactions.

We do not disclose personal information to external parties except:

When required by law
To report ethical misconduct
To prevent harm or protect rights

6. Data Storage and Security

APMH uses secure servers, encrypted communication channels, and multi-layered security protocols to protect personal data. Measures include:

Access controls and authentication systems
Regular server monitoring and threat detection
Secure backups and failover procedures
Encryption for sensitive communications and payment data

Despite robust measures, no digital transmission is entirely risk-free. However, APMH continuously updates its systems to meet modern security standards.

7. Cookies and Analytics

APMH uses cookies to enhance functionality and gather analytics metrics. Cookies may:

Remember user preferences
Track navigation paths
Support secure login
Improve site performance

Users may disable cookies through browser settings, though some site functions may be affected.

8. Data Retention Policy

Data is retained as long as necessary for:

Scholarly record preservation
Legal compliance
Indexing and archiving
Editorial history tracking

Manuscripts, peer-review records, and correspondence are stored permanently to maintain academic integrity.

9. Rights of Authors, Reviewers, and Users

Depending on jurisdiction, individuals may have the right to:

Access personal information
Request corrections or updates
Request data erasure (when legally permissible)
Withdraw consent for specific uses
Request a copy of stored data

To exercise these rights, users may contact the editorial office at:
[email protected]

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The APMH website may contain links to:

Indexing databases
Repository services
Publisher platforms
External research tools

APMH is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

11. Privacy in Peer Review

Peer review confidentiality is critical. APMH follows these principles:

Reviewer identities are kept confidential (double-blind system).
Manuscripts are treated as confidential documents.
Peer review materials are preserved for editorial use only.
Editors maintain strict privacy of discussions and evaluations.

Violation of peer-review privacy may result in removal from the reviewer pool and COPE-aligned actions.

12. APC-Related Privacy

Authors who pay APCs may be required to provide:

Billing address
Payment identifiers
Institutional payment details

APMH does not store complete payment card numbers. All transactions are processed securely through reputable third-party payment gateways.

13. Privacy for Minors

APMH does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If such data is inadvertently provided, individuals may request its removal.

14. Changes to This Privacy Statement

APMH may update this policy periodically. All updates will be posted on this page with a revised date. Continued use of the website or submission systems indicates acceptance of any modifications.

Real-World Scenario

Scenario: A reviewer downloads a manuscript to evaluate its methodology. While doing so, they store it on a personal device. APMH’s privacy rules require the reviewer to protect the file, avoid sharing it, and delete it after review. This preserves author confidentiality, prevents premature disclosure, and supports a fair evaluation process. If the reviewer has concerns, they notify the editor through a secure communication channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does APMH share personal data with advertisers?: No. APMH does not sell or advertise personal information.
Q: Can authors request removal of their data?: Yes, except for publication records which must remain as part of the scholarly record.
Q: Are review reports public?: No. Peer-review materials remain confidential.
Q: Is analytics data anonymous?: Yes. Analytics tools aggregate data without identifying individuals.

Conclusion

APMH is committed to protecting privacy, promoting transparency, and supporting ethical scholarly communication. By adopting robust data protection practices and aligning with global privacy standards, the journal ensures a secure environment for authors, reviewers, editorial staff, and readers.