Positive mental health

Awareness and understanding of the need for resilient mental health has increased dramatically in recent years. A sign of progress is that mental imbalance is now discussed more openly and is becoming less of a taboo subject, encouraged by national and local initiatives such as, in the UK, Headstogether and Student Minds, and other campaigns in various countries. In adult learning environments, there is now an increased focus on supporting adult learners’ mental health where it impacts on their studies so that learner success can be achieved. This course aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to recognise barriers to learning which can occur as a result of adult learners’ poor mental health, and to ensure adult learners can access appropriate support. Educators will also learn how to create self-care strategies and skills which support their personal positive wellbeing.

The prevalence of mental health issues has increased globally, with the World Health Organisation reporting in 2019 that 1 in 8 adults experienced mental health problems. This trend has been reflected in the UK where British Medical Association data has shown increasing numbers of adults experience common mental disorders and seek professional treatment, with 1 in 4 young people aged 17–19 accessing mental health treatment. Educators of adult learners are not required to, and should not, provide treatment for learners with mental health illness. However, being in regular contact with learners provides excellent opportunities to promote mentally healthy learning environments and signpost to mental health support, with the aim of reducing barriers to learning and facilitate achievement.

Adult learners who experience poor mental health may experience a range of learning challenges including difficulties in engaging with their studies or participating in learning environment activities. Concentration may be negatively affected, and learners can become withdrawn, and their attendance may decline. Peer relationships may suffer, resulting in a reduced sense of belonging. These barriers can impact on learner success, potentially limiting retention, progression and achievement as well as the overall learning experience. This, in turn, can impact on educators’ sense of job satisfaction and fulfilment.

Educators of adults have a duty of care to all learners but can often feel under-confident when their learners experience mental health challenges which in turn impact on their learning. This course can help build educator confidence, and enable educators to ensure that adult learners have access to receive the right support at the right time.

The Open University is delighted that the Charlie Waller Trust endorses this course. The Charlie Waller Trust was set up in memory of Charlie Waller, who sadly took his own life in 1997. Charlie was just 28 years old and had depression. In response to this tragedy, his family founded the Charlie Waller Trust. Their aim was to open up the conversation around depression and to help ensure that people are able to understand and look after their mental health, and to spot the signs of common mental health problems in others.

Julie is a consultant trainer for the Charlie Waller Trust with 20 years of experience as an integrative counsellor and over 10 years as an educator for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, including experience as team lead for a university counselling and mental health service. Julie says:

Michael is student involvement coordinator for the Charlie Waller Trust and recently obtained a doctorate from Durham University exploring student wellbeing in a whole university approach. Michael adds:

The course also addresses educator self-care strategies. Course author Sarah Mander makes the most of being outdoors in nature to look after her mental health while author Neill Boddington also enjoys getting outside to run and cycle, but also to escape into a great movie. You will have the opportunity to explore wellbeing strategies for yourself each week too.