This module places a strong emphasis on the voices and lived experiences of people with mental illness. To support your learning, you'll hear narratives from real people via multimedia formats such as videos and audio clips. Some of the blocks will explore sensitive or emotionally challenging topics. Where this is the case, clear content warnings will be provided in advance. These will outline the nature of the material and offer guidance and signposting. Before registering for this module, we encourage you to review the module topics below and consider whether this is the right time for you to study this module. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
The module consists of four blocks, each comprising five weeks of study. During each block, you’ll focus on a particular area of mental health practice:
Block 1: Critical Perspectives in Mental Health
This block introduces the history and evolution of mental health care, from early approaches to modern practices, and examines how ideas about mental health and illness have changed over time. You’ll learn about the rise of service user leadership and activism, the vital role of carers and the perspectives of professionals working in mental health services. The block also examines global understandings of mental health, highlighting cultural differences and the challenges faced in low and middle-income countries. Throughout, you’ll consider how these diverse perspectives shape current services and influence future practice.
Block 2: Contemporary Mental Health
This block covers key themes in mental health practice. You’ll explore the concept of trauma, its impact across the lifespan and the importance of trauma-informed care. You’ll also investigate recovery, exploring both personal and clinical perspectives and examining the critical debates surrounding the approach, including its definition, effectiveness and challenges in practice. You’ll explore biomedical approaches to diagnosis and treatment, including their limitations and controversies, such as the use of ECT and ketamine. The course materials also examine psychosocial and alternative interventions, the reasons people choose them and the role of self-help and peer support. Finally, you’ll consider the consequences of misdiagnosis, critiques of psychiatry and whether current systems meet the needs of people living with mental illness.
Block 3: Complexity in Mental Health
This block focuses on complex and sensitive areas of mental health practice. You’ll explore the challenges of living with multiple diagnoses, including co-morbidities such as substance misuse, and their impact on individuals and services. The module materials also cover working with risk, suicide and self-harm, highlighting the importance of language, stigma reduction and crisis support. You’ll examine how mental health intersects with the criminal justice system, ethical issues around restriction and coercion, and the risks of malpractice.
Block 4: Mental Health in Context
This final block focuses on advanced and emerging themes in mental health. You’ll explore how digital technology and social media impact mental health, examining both their positive and negative effects. You’ll consider key transitions in mental health care, from youth to adult services, hospital to community and towards recovery. This block also covers mental health promotion and wellbeing, and finally, you’ll reflect on future directions for mental health practice, including innovation and global challenges.
By the end of the module, you’ll have gained a comprehensive, critical understanding of mental health from diverse perspectives, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex issues and contribute meaningfully to mental health practice, both locally and globally.
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.
In K347, we offer the option of ‘Relaxed Tutorials’ for students who prefer not to attend the traditional online tutorial format. This option may be particularly appealing if you find the typical tutorial setup less comfortable.
In a Relaxed Tutorial, you will:
For those unable to attend tutorials, at least one recorded traditional tutorial will be available for each block.
Course work includes:
Study materials include:
Where possible, the materials are also available in other formats.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
K347 is an option module in our:
Exploring mental health (K347) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that starts in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.
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.
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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.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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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.
