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Making sense of mental health problems
Over the past century there has been a radical shift in responses to people who experience mental health problems. In this free course, Making sense of mental health problems, you will learn about how key perspectives in the field have made sense of mental health problems. By directly relating key perspectives to a case study, you will reflect on how the medical perspective, psychological perspective and social need perspective come to make sense of mental ill-health.
Learn moreMaking sense of mental health problemsLevel: 2 Intermediate
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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.
Learn moreExercise and mental healthLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Challenging ideas in mental health
Take a new and different look at mental health. This free course, Challenging ideas in mental health, invites you to think differently about life's dilemmas by taking account of the views of all concerned, especially people experiencing mental distress. It explores ideas and practice in mental health, and will appeal to a wide range of people.
Learn moreChallenging ideas in mental healthLevel: 2 Intermediate
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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.
Learn moreWork and mental healthLevel: 2 Intermediate
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Understanding depression and anxiety
This free course, Understanding depression and anxiety, explores the causes of these mental health issues, with a particular focus on stress. You will consider some risk and causal factors for some depression and anxiety disorders, and learn about the biology and psychology behind them.
Learn moreUnderstanding depression and anxietyLevel: 2 Intermediate
Additional support
Experiencing mental health problems, or supporting someone who is can be hard to manage alone. Contacting your GP is a common starting point, if you are feeling mentally unwell - but also think about consulting a trained therapist, friends and family, charities, community and work support, and student services. Additionally, below is a list of useful resources and helplines:
- Mind's information and support pages
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123, for free or look at the other ways of contacting them.
- The NHS Mental health - live well pages
- The NHS overcoming addiction pages
This resource is part of the 'Wellbeing and Mental Health Collection' created by the Open University in Wales. You can learn more and find courses, articles and other activities on the collection's homepage.
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Wellbeing and mental health collection
The mental health and wellbeing collection (Wales) provides a hub of free, bilingual resources that aim to promote positive wellbeing and support good mental health.
Read nowWellbeing and mental health collectionLevel: 1 Introductory
More on Mental Health
Making sense of mental health problems
Over the past century there has been a radical shift in responses to people who experience mental health problems. In this free course, Making sense of mental health problems, you will learn about how key perspectives in the field have made sense of mental health problems. By directly relating key perspectives to a case study, you will reflect on how the medical perspective, psychological perspective and social need perspective come to make sense of mental ill-health.
Learn more ❯Making sense of mental health problems
Take it further with The Open University
Approaches to mental health
Over the past century there has been a radical shift in responses to people who experience mental health problems. In this module you will learn about how politics and concepts about mental health and professionalism have driven contemporary approaches to these issues. By directly relating theory to case studies and examples, you will reflect upon how the services that are offered shape the lives and experiences of individuals supported by a range of practitioners in statutory organisations, the third sector and beyond. ?You will also critique the role of psychiatry and other professional groups, and consider how diagnosis shapes mental health practice and the benefits and limitations of current responses.
Learn more ❯Approaches to mental health
Introduction to mental health science
This online module introduces the key topics in mental health science from biological, psychological and social science perspectives whilst developing your postgraduate study skills. Focusing on affective disorders (stress, anxiety and depression), the module will enable you to develop and apply these skills within the context of the chosen topics. You will broaden your knowledge and understanding of these affective disorders, recognise different lines of evidence, appreciate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of current knowledge, discuss contemporary issues, and evaluate, synthesise and communicate your understanding of these key topics in mental health science.
Learn more ❯Introduction to mental health science
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Dr Mathijs Lucassen
(The Open University)Dr Mathijs Lucassen is a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Open Media Fellow.
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