In this online module, you’ll study eight topics:
Topic 1: Core concepts
The starting point of this module is to look at the biology of the brain and how this links to our thoughts, actions and behaviours. Topic 1 introduces different perspectives and viewpoints on ‘brain’, ‘mind’, and ‘mental health’. You’ll then study the basic brain biology needed to understand the rest of the module. Our innovative multimedia can help you visualise and explore the relevant brain structures and pathways. You’ll also be introduced to some of the different research approaches used to provide scientific evidence that informs our understanding of mental health.
Topic 2: Brain development and mental health
This topic covers how the brain develops before birth and what can happen when this development follows an abnormal path. You’ll see how genes and environmental influences can interact to affect brain development. You’ll be introduced to some childhood developmental conditions and their implications for health. For this and the following topics, we use case studies to investigate the experience of different individuals with health conditions and the people caring for them.
Topic 3: Autism
This topic focuses on autism, a condition that typically becomes apparent in childhood but also continues throughout life. You’ll study factors that affect development, including genetic and environmental factors, and their interplay. You’ll consider the value of different systems used for diagnosis and develop your numeracy skills in the study of prevalence rates.
Topic 4: ADHD
This topic covers another condition that typically appears in childhood, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It discusses what it is like to experience the condition, the diagnostic process, and the psychological and biological processes associated with it. You’ll explore how ADHD is managed using medication and psychosocial treatments. You’ll also be introduced to the use of animal models for studying mental health and how relevant these are to the human condition.
Topic 5: Addiction
This topic moves into an area of mental health that, in common with many other mental health conditions, usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. You’ll explore the risk factors for developing an addiction, cultural and social attitudes towards addiction, and ways of defining addiction. You’ll study the biological basis of addiction to illustrate that all forms of addiction activate similar brain pathways. The discussion then moves on to possible interventions for the prevention of addiction and treatments for addiction, including biological and psychological approaches.
Topic 6: Psychosis
Various types of psychosis, including schizophrenia, are explored in this topic. You’ll look at cultural attitudes and social stigma associated with psychosis, and discuss the risk factors, diagnosis and co-morbidities related to psychosis. You’ll study the biological basis of schizophrenia in particular, leading into a discussion of the treatment and management of schizophrenia using drug treatments or psychosocial interventions.
Topic 7: Depression
Stress, anxiety and depression are commonly experienced conditions at all ages, and impact on general wellbeing. This topic focuses on depression. In common with some of the previous topics, there are well-recognised risk factors associated with the development of depression, and various brain changes are implicated in the development of the condition. These biological changes have helped to explain the success of some drug treatments, including commonly used antidepressants. However, the topic also considers some psychosocial approaches to the treatment of mood disorders, such as cognitive therapy.
Topic 8: Dementia
Dementia is a growing problem in our society as people live to a greater age. Knowledge about how to diagnose dementia, the risk factors that contribute to its development, and the pathological changes associated with dementia has increased substantially over the last few years. This knowledge has led to various theories about the prevention and treatment of dementia, which you’ll explore here. By the end of the topic, you’ll have gained an understanding of how new drug treatments are tested and how to analyse the results of a clinical trial. You’ll also consider the many emerging psychosocial approaches to dementia care.
In addition to studying key biological and psychological concepts relating to mental health, you’ll also develop your skills for further study in health and biological sciences, including evaluating evidence, handling and presenting data, communication skills, and using information technology.
This module will be attractive to anyone interested in a career in health care or health sciences, particularly those professions associated with mental health.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
SK298 is a compulsory module in our:
SK298 is an option module in our:
Brain, mind and mental health (SK298) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of biology or health obtained through:
Are you ready for SK298?
We recommend that you’ve completed at least one of these modules:
You’ll be able to access the module website 2–3 weeks before the module starts, so you can learn to navigate the website and organise your study plan. A module primer contains the basic concepts you should understand. You can use this primer to refresh your knowledge before starting your studies or as a resource throughout.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SK298 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| No current presentation |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
