FREE Mental Health Tips and Resources

Five tips for relaxing during difficult times

Modern life can leave many of us feeling stressed out. Here Dr Mathijs Lucassen offers five tips so that you can relax.

Copyright: Temple Illuminatus

What can I do about my mental health when I don’t have the support I need?

What can you do if you're not comfortable talking about mental health issues with your peers? Dr Jonathan Leach and Dr Mathijs Lucassen set out six ways of getting the support you need. 

Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them

Panic attacks: what they are and what to do about them is a free course that should be helpful to anyone who experiences panic or panic attacks, for their family and friends, and anyone more generally interested in mental health and mental health treatment. The course starts by exploring formal definitions of panic and panic attack. These are then contrasted with personal accounts of the experience of panic. It also presents some of the key understandings of why panic attacks happen, and provides an overview of the main ways people can get help and help themselves. 

How to manage the digital-related stress of technology

How can we avoid the stress and anxiety associated with the digital age? Dr Gini Harrison and Dr Mathijs Lucassen give us five tips...

The benefits of outdoor green and blue spaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased focus on the value of participating in nature. This article explores how outdoor spaces can improve our mental health.

Copyright free: Pixabay

Five reasons why you should care about mindfulness

Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment, whilst at the same time accepting your feelings, thoughts, and body’s sensations. But why does mindfulness matter?

Stress and anxiety in the digital age: The dark side of technology

What is it about new technology that is making many of us anxious and stressed? Dr Gini Harrison and Dr Mathijs Lucassen explore the top five stressors:

Used with permission

Exercise and mental health

Each year thousands of pounds are spent on medications to treat conditions such as anxiety and depression. These medications often have negative side effects. Exercise is an alternative treatment that is low cost and has few side effects. In this free course, Exercise and mental health, we will look at the links between exercise and improved mental health and psychological well-being. This will include consideration of the role of exercise in combating stress, anxiety and depression, and in enhancing mood.

Copyright: Dylan Toone

Green care: contact with nature can improve mental health

Can being outside gardening improve our wellbeing? Discover three factors that account for the positive effects of 'green care'.

The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

A Support Net: Can you help someone in need?

All of us will experience personal challenges, but could you make a positive impact on someone's life? Try our wellbeing interactive 'A Support Net' to see if you can help four people.

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Work and mental health

Although being at work during periods of mental illness can be difficult for those with mental health problems, most people with these difficulties could take paid employment if it were not for numerous barriers in the workplace and the wider community (Centre for Mental Health, 2013). In this free course, Work and mental health, you will look at some of the ways in which employment affects mental health and what can be done to support people in finding and keeping work.

Do I have mental health problems and should I get some help?

How do we recognise if a reaction to a stressor has developed into a mental health problem? Here's a five point guide...

Depression, mood and exercise

Looking for a few tips on increasing your mood? Dr Jitka Vseteckova explores the relationship between depression and exercise. 

Supporting children and young people's wellbeing

This free course, Supporting children and young people's wellbeing, looks at some of the broader concerns regarding wellbeing and the idea that children and young people today are increasingly reporting feelings of unhappiness. By completing the activities, you will be introduced to different ways of understanding children and young people’s wellbeing as well as a variety of practices and services that can provide support.

The Open University under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license

Journeying through Wellbeing

Take a journey through Wellbeing and see how factors such as where we grow up, what happens to us, and our physical health, can all impact on our mental health and wellbeing.  

WorldSkills UK / flickr under Creative-Commons license

BSc (Honours) Mental Health Nursing

jarmoluk / Pixabay under Creative-Commons license

BSc (Honours) Health Sciences

This degree examines the science behind health. From individual health to global issues like epidemics or the treatment of dementia. You'll study scientific concepts that underpin the function of the human mind and body. Explore the incidence, diagnosis and treatment of disease and disability. And examine the maintenance and improvement of health in different populations. It's particularly relevant if you work in, or aspire to work in, a health-related profession.

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BSc (Honours) Psychology

As psychology is the study and science of human behaviour, it touches every aspect of our lives. This degree explores key questions around why we do the things we do and how we interact with others. You'll explore how psychologists use research evidence to contribute to debates on forensic science, mental health, relationships, child development, employment and much more. You'll gain knowledge and understanding of different areas of psychology; develop valuable analytical and communication skills; and enhance your ability to work both independently and collaboratively. This will put you in a strong position when it comes to employment opportunities.