England

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Accessibility statement
Over the past century, responses to mental health have changed radically. In this module, you'll learn about how politics and concepts about mental health and professionalism have driven contemporary approaches to these issues. By directly relating theory to case studies and examples, you'll reflect upon how the services that are offered shape the lives and experiences of individuals supported by a range of practitioners in statutory organisations, the third sector and beyond. ​You will also critique the role of psychiatry and other professional groups, and consider how diagnosis shapes mental health practice and the benefits and limitations of current responses.
This is a module that will allow you to explore and reflect upon a range of areas associated with mental health care and support. During the module you will explore the core principles of mental health practice and examine the nature of mental health treatment, both traditional and non-traditional, in the United Kingdom and internationally.
This module is made up of four blocks of study, each of which is made up of five weeks of teaching. During each block you'll focus on a particular area associated with mental health care:
In preparation for studying you will be provided with core learning materials, including texts, audio visual material that highlights particular issues, and journal articles that you will be able to access directly from the library.
The module team believe that students learn best when they are provided with opportunities to make links between theory and real life practice. As a result, across the module, the teaching material will encourage you to reflect upon case studies and practice examples that are relevant to the topic you are considering. You'll also undertake a range of specifically designed activities that will encourage you to communicate with your fellow students and the teaching staff about how structural, theoretical and behavioural influences shape mental health practice.
During the final week of each block of study you'll be provided with opportunities to shift the focus of your study towards those areas that you are most interested in learning more about. During this week you will be encouraged and supported to explore resources that are available through the library website, the Internet and those shared by fellow students.
At the end of this module you will have a range of the skills and tools that will help you become independent explorers of knowledge in this important but complex area.
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU. You are not required to have done any study before in this subject area but if you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
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:
This module is delivered entirely online through learning guides. You’ll also receive a printed version of the K314 Readings and the K314 Module Guide. These materials comprise text, graphics, self-assessment quizzes, and a range of media resources.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying K314 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.
Approaches to mental health (K314) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that starts in October 2025 when we expect it to start for the last time.
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