From Panic to Purpose - The importance of the availability of online education platforms for those battling with mental health

A blog post by Tilly Allen

It is no secret that mental health is an ongoing crisis, impacting a huge amount of people daily. I was faced with severe anxiety and worsening mental health during my teenage years, which heavily impacted my ability to attend school. Fortunately, I am now privileged enough to say that I have recently graduated with a 2.1 in Law from The Open University and I am a few months into my journey as an Intern for the Open Universities’ (‘OU’) Law School. All this seemed impossible a few years ago. This blog is an insight into how this was made possible and reveals some truth about mental health challenges, how this can affect educational success and outlines how the OU has given me the opportunity to start to fulfil my career aspirations.

How mental health can inhibit educational success

Statistically speaking, of young people aged between 8 and 25, one in five reported a mental health condition in 2023, compared to one in nine in 2017 (NHS Digital, 2023). The Centre for Mental Health suggested that evidence shows a ‘clear link between the rise in school absence and the rise of mental health and wellbeing challenges’ (NHS Digital, 2023). This data demonstrates that there is a direct correlation between individuals experiencing poor mental health and a decline in their school attendance. As well as this, The Big Ask (the largest survey of young people in England) found that mental health was the second most frequently mentioned topic when they were asked what they thought prevented young people from being able to achieve their ambitions when they grow up (The Big Ask, 2021).

A brief overview of my story and the importance of being able to access online education

Despite attending in-person education until I was sixteen, as my mental health declined; it became an increasing battle to attend school. Panic attacks and health complications from anxiety saw my attendance plummet, with only a 13% attendance achieved in my GCSE year. Dropping out of school felt like a huge failure and that my future in employment was over before it had even begun. I had always had high career aspirations, yet the lack of education was proving a significant barrier to meeting these. Thankfully, I decided, as a last resort to give my A-levels a go remotely and having completed these in just one year and receiving decent grades and a sense of educational achievement, I decided to study for my Law degree through the OU, rather than the offers I had received from other Universities.

Many individuals faced with poor mental health can find day-to-day tasks and even leaving the house particularly difficult. One of the main benefits of online education is the flexibility; flexibility allows individuals to work at a chosen pace, around a schedule and location that suits them (Rush, 2018). Often mental health conditions can lead to a decrease in focus and concentration levels; therefore, a tailored schedule can be hugely beneficial.

Due to the increased student diversity that online education platforms cater for they tend to be better equipped and have a wider understanding surrounding mental health (and other disadvantages students may face) which can increase the support that students receive, in turn leading to better educational success as well as personal development.

Unfortunately, the stigma is still very much real surrounding online education. I am however, pleased to say that I have found this to be quite the opposite when relaying this into work prospects. If anything, it shows a commendable amount of commitment, independence, motivation and incentive; all of which are skills sought after by employers and I am grateful that this has not yet gone unnoticed.

Which leads me on to my time as an Intern and the importance of opportunity

Upon finishing my degree, I decided to apply to my first ever ‘proper’ job (one with a contract!). The role being offered was an Intern by the OU Law School, and after successfully completing my interview, I was offered the position. Having been open about the mental health struggles I have faced over the years in my application (something until now I have struggled to speak about), I was somewhat shocked to have been offered the position. As overwhelming as this felt initially, it has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. During my time working as an intern, I have been given ample amounts of opportunity to expand my skillset, work on my confidence, take leadership and run a team of mentors. I have found this job particularly rewarding as I have contributed to projects such as ‘The Belonging Project’, which is based on supporting equality, diversity and inclusion; something that deeply resonates with my values. This project I was particularly keen to be involved in as I know that although I chose to go down the online route in my latter years of education, it can still be isolating, which is what this project sets out to combat. On top of all of the opportunity I have been offered during my time as an intern, I have been so fortunate to have been given the chance to work with such a supportive team of individuals which has contributed to being able to make the most of these given opportunities.

To finalise

I am aware that from my own experience navigating mental health challenges whilst trying to attend education is difficult, let alone trying to achieve educational success that is representative of your ability. Reflecting on this, I understand the importance of flexible educational environments. Although online education certainly may not be for everyone, similarly to how in person education was not for me, it is important that it is accessible and that the stigma surrounding it is broken. Online education provides opportunity to grow and develop to achieve educational success and a career pathway for those that may have lost hope and cannot attend school. I am particularly grateful that I chose to study and work with the OU, my experience has been one that I will always be thankful for, and it truly has transformed me and my future career which I am looking forward to beginning. I would strongly recommend to anyone that may be in a similar position to the one that I found myself in, to take the jump and look into online education platforms as I know that without this my mental health and future career would not look like it does now.

References:

NHS Digital (2023), Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023 – wave 4 follow up to the 2017 survey.
Rush, P. (2018) Isolation and Connection: The Experience of Distance Education. Distances et mediations des saviors. Vol 30,2.
The Big Ask (2021), Mental Health findings from The Big Ask, Children’s Commissioner.