Data Management Plan - Embedding mental health support in curriculum delivery: a closed video pilot

Mental health is a growing concern across the higher education sector. National surveys and institutional data consistently show that a significant proportion of students experience mental health challenges during their studies. These include anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, and burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, and while many students have returned to in-person or hybrid learning, the psychological effects remain.Despite the availability of university support services, many students do not access them. Barriers include:Stigma around mental health.Lack of awareness of available services.Uncertainty about how to seek help.Fear of academic consequences or being perceived as weak.Teaching staff, particularly Associate Lecturers, are often the first point of contact for students. Their role in creating a supportive learning environment is critical. However, they may not always feel equipped to address mental health concerns or initiate conversations about wellbeing.This project aims to bridge that gap by embedding a closed video – a pre-recorded, structured, and supportive message – into the start of the module. This video will serve as a proactive, inclusive, and accessible way to acknowledge mental health challenges and direct students to appropriate support.This falls under the Access, Participation and Success, because of the mental health and wellbeing strand implicit within it.Research question:What is the impact of faculty-specific closed mental health video introductions on students’ awareness of, attitudes toward, and engagement with mental health support in higher education?AimsTo enhance student wellbeing and inclusion by embedding AL-created mental health video content into selected modules, thereby normalising mental health conversations and encouraging help-seeking behaviour.ObjectivesDevelop and pilot 12 videos (three per faculty) recorded by Associate Lecturers.Embed these videos into the welcome materials of selected modules in WELS, STEM, FASS and FBL and have ALs introduce them in the first week of the module, in the middle and at the endEvaluate the impact of the videos on student engagement, wellbeing, and help-seeking behaviour.This study is funded by the pan-university Scholarship Fund and led by Dr Elizabeth FitzGerald at The Open University. The aim is to pilot a university-wide initiative that integrates closed video content into selected modules. These videos – approximately 10 minutes in length – will be recorded by Associate Lecturers and will address mental health challenges that students may face, offer reassurance and guidance, and signpost both university and external mental health support services. The videos will be made available at the start, middle and end of certain modules. The videos will be delivered to one module in each Faculty.The research involves a short online survey and/or participation in an interview, per module. The study will run from October 2025 to September 2027 to allow for the varied timings of the modules.Ethical approval has been sought from SRPP and HREC.