Noise exposure is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental factor affecting public health, particularly linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, its impact on mental health remains underexplored. This review highlights the growing evidence that noise, especially from traffic, can negatively affect mental health, contributing to conditions like depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in children and adolescents. Mechanistically, noise induces neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted circadian rhythms, which may impair mental health. The noise/stress concept suggests two pathways: direct damage from high decibel levels and indirect effects through annoyance and sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance is strongly linked to mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Chronic noise exposure can lead to maladaptive coping strategies and increased vulnerability to mental health issues. Animal studies show that noise exposure can cause cognitive decline, anxiety-like behavior, and depression-like symptoms, often through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Epidemiological studies indicate a positive association between traffic noise exposure and increased risks of depression and anxiety. Noise exposure is also linked to suicide risk, particularly in younger adults. Behavioral problems in children and adolescents are associated with higher noise exposure. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms of noise-induced mental health effects, identifying biomarkers, and developing non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate these effects. The review underscores the need for further research to address the significant public health implications of noise on mental health.Noise exposure is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental factor affecting public health, particularly linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, its impact on mental health remains underexplored. This review highlights the growing evidence that noise, especially from traffic, can negatively affect mental health, contributing to conditions like depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues in children and adolescents. Mechanistically, noise induces neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted circadian rhythms, which may impair mental health. The noise/stress concept suggests two pathways: direct damage from high decibel levels and indirect effects through annoyance and sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance is strongly linked to mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Chronic noise exposure can lead to maladaptive coping strategies and increased vulnerability to mental health issues. Animal studies show that noise exposure can cause cognitive decline, anxiety-like behavior, and depression-like symptoms, often through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Epidemiological studies indicate a positive association between traffic noise exposure and increased risks of depression and anxiety. Noise exposure is also linked to suicide risk, particularly in younger adults. Behavioral problems in children and adolescents are associated with higher noise exposure. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms of noise-induced mental health effects, identifying biomarkers, and developing non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate these effects. The review underscores the need for further research to address the significant public health implications of noise on mental health.