Mental health support
Many of us experience a mental health difficulty at some point in our lives. That's why it's important for you to know we're here to listen to any concerns you may have about your study and we'll help and support you in the best way we can.
What we can do to help
It's common for students to experience difficulties during their study journey but for some, studying can increase vulnerability to unhealthy levels of stress, anxiety and other mental health difficulties.
Whether you have a diagnosed mental health difficulty or not, taking care of your mental health is really important to help you study effectively. The Open University (OU) is committed to supporting you to achieve this.
If you feel as though you're struggling to cope with your studies, please talk to us, we’re here to help. Either contact your Student Support Team (SST) or tutor as they'll be able to offer alternative options and solutions for any study related issues you may be having.
This could include:
- discussing areas of focus with your tutor
- extra time to complete assignments
- creating a more manageable study timetable with your tutor
- additional support in tutorials, day school or residential school
- revision support
- taking rest breaks during exams
- taking a break from study
Open University Students Association
The OU Students Association (OUSA) provides several services to make sure you get the help you need. You'll find lots of advice and links to peer groups at OUSA help and support.
Mental health support partners
If you have any mental health difficulties that aren't study related, see our list of Mental health support partners detailed on this page.
Back to topTelling us about your mental health difficulty
We support over 10,000 students that have told us they have a mental health difficulty. You can tell us at any stage in your studies, but we recommend you do so as early as possible so we can make reasonable adjustments and support you to reach your full potential.
You may not consider mental health to be a disability, however, mental health issues are covered under the Equality Act 2010. You could be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), which can finance mental health mentoring support during your studies.
For more information on the support we can offer and how to tell us about your difficulties see How to get disability support and funding or contact the Disability Support Team.
Mental health support
Hello, I’m Neill Boddington, one of the OU’s Mental Health Advisers and I’m going to briefly explain the support that’s available to you for your mental health and wellbeing.
Firstly, if you do have a mental health condition or experience some challenges to your mental health, then I encourage you to complete a Disability Support form that will create your disability profile.
Here at the OU mental health is classed as a disability to ensure all students are offered the support that they need.
You complete an online form which prompts a discussion with our Disability Support Team who will ensure your profile reflects all the considerations needed for your studies and any other reasonable adjustments.
You can provide as much or as little info as you’re happy to.
This profile is then made available to your tutor and other staff that are engaged in your learning so they can support you accordingly.
Find out more about this in StudentHome and the Help Centre, just look for links mentioning disability support.
The Mental Health Casework and Advice Team (MHCAT)
MHCAT forms part of Student Support. The team provides a specialist, one-to-one support service for students needing guidance on managing complex mental health difficulties or severe emotional distress alongside their studies. The service is available to all registered students on a referral basis and subject to eligibility criteria.
You don't need to have a mental health diagnosis or to identify as having a mental health condition to receive support from a member of MHCAT.
How it works
If, having explored all other avenues of support, one of our trained advisers in your Student Support Team thinks you would benefit, they'll refer you to MHCAT. This will be discussed with you, and you'll not be referred without your consent.
You'll be assigned an adviser from the MHCAT team who'll be your named contact. You'll have regular appointments with your named adviser who’ll support you on a one-to-one basis to help you move forward with your studies.
What happens if your referral is not accepted
We'll explain to you why you were not referred to the service at this time and signpost you to other services, within or outside the OU, that may be of further help to you. Remember the TalkCampus and Shout services are available to all.
Back to topOur mental health support partners
If your mental health difficulties are not study related we can recommend more specialised services that could help you.
TalkCampus
TalkCampus provides a safe, totally anonymous online space to air concerns with other students and get support for your mental health and wellbeing. It’s available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To download the app, see our TalkCampus article.
Shout 85258
We are proud to partner with Shout 85258 to offer free and confidential support to any OU student who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Shout’s text message support service is anonymous and available 24/7. The service is available to anyone in the UK and it won’t show up on your phone bill. Trained volunteers can help with issues including anxiety, abuse, loneliness, self-harm and suicide, they are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safer place. Find out about our partnership with Shout and how it works.
OU Wellbeing app
The OU Wellbeing app provides a fun and interactive way to create positive habits to help maintain good wellbeing. The app offers many features including weekly posts providing advice and support and a library of self-help tools and podcasts to help you improve your wellbeing as well as your study skills. For more information and how to download the app see our OU Wellbeing app article.
Back to topDo you need urgent help?
If you need more immediate help, you can contact:
- Samaritans - Tel: 116 123 who are available any time and any day
- Mind - Tel: 0300 123 3393
- SANEline - Tel: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm-10.30pm)
- your local GP for medical advice by making an emergency appointment
- NHS (England & Wales) Tel: 111, NHS 24 (Scotland) Tel: 08454 242424, NI Direct (Northern Ireland) Tel: 0808 808 8000
- 999 or go to Accident and Emergency (A&E) for immediate help.
Report and Support online tool
If your mental health has been impacted by an incident that has happened to you or someone else at the OU, you're encouraged to report it using our safe space reporting tool, Report and Support. This online tool allows you to report incidents and behaviours relating to the nine protected characteristics (and/or the extended characteristics set out in the Open University Anti-Discrimination Statement). You can choose to do this anonymously or provide your name. If you do give your name, the incident will be investigated and you will be signposted to additional support
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