What causes mental distress and what can be done about it? What factors in the external environment affect mental health? This album examines the ways in which social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress. It explores the wide range of diverse and frequently competing perspectives that characterise the world of mental health and looks at the impact of these perspectives on mental health practice and service provision. In a set of academic perspectives, Jonathan Leach of The Open University's School of Health and Social Welfare explains why the case studies were selected, and how they fit in with the aims of the course. He also describes how he became involved in the field of mental health education.

This material forms part of The Open University course K225 Diverse perspectives on mental health.

How can a citizen science project, a guided community walk or a park visit help our wellbeing? This article explores how to engage with the outdoors.

Tackling ecological and social injustice together: how early years practitioners and young children can respond to the climate crisis alongside non-human creatures and the material world around them.

The Open University held a Mock COP26 event, inspiring future climate leaders from across Scotland in the Highlands and Moray.

What significant processes occur in infancy for development and learning? How does cultural environment influence individual development? And how do infants begin to develop their understanding of other people? On this album, international experts present their perspectives on the ways infants and young children enter the social and cultural worlds around them, and ways that children develop their skills of thinking and learning. The speakers are Professors Rudolph Schaffer, Michael Cole, Alison Garton, Vasu Reddy and Dr Suzanne Zeedyk. The interviews are introduced and contextualised by Dr Dorothy Faulkner and Professor David Messer of The Open University. The material forms part of The Open University course ED841 Understanding children's development and learning.

This collection transports you to Europe of 1600 to 1850. Many of the foundations of European culture were being laid: commerce, arts institutions, art displays, terraced houses … even tattooing. Things we now take for granted in the fabric of our lives. Yet here we glimpse them through the eyes of a society for whom they weren’t yet set in stone. The shape of the urban environment was being defined. Yet there was a burgeoning nostalgia for all things rural, and a hunger for the trappings of other cultures. The decisions of this era still have an impact on our culture today.

This material forms part of The Open University course A226 Exploring art and visual culture.

Commercial exploitation of nature, such as mining, fracking, or generating hydro-electric power, often damages the way the natural environment looks. What if the environment could be restored to exactly how it looked before? Would that mean that no damage had been done, that the natural environment was as valuable as it had been before the commercial exploitation? This free course, Exploring philosophy: faking nature, examines ‘the restoration thesis’, and provides an insight into philosophical study at postgraduate level.

The framing of the national debate around Brexit owed a debt to coverage of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, says Rahel Cramer.

How can small and medium-sized enterprises make the radical changes required to tackle the Climate Emergency?