From anxiety to achievement: How Karen overcame mental health barriers and got her degree

Karen from Derry celebrated her success at our Dublin Degree Ceremony last year. It was a moment of triumph for her that once seemed out of reach. Her story is one of persistence, mental health struggles and rediscovering a love for learning after years away from education. 

Karen’s educational journey looked like many others initially, leaving school after A-levels fully prepared to take on university life. But the idea of university didn’t align with her experience.  

“I had GCSEs and A-Levels from secondary and attempted university but my mental health made it impossible at the time.”  

The pressures of a traditional university conflicted with Karen’s own mental health struggles and she dropped out. It became a barrier that left her feeling a sense of missed opportunity.  

“I always regretted not getting my degree and felt I had missed out on so much in life because I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety since I was quite young.” 

Then, like so many people, Karen’s life changed drastically during the COVID-19 lockdowns. But, after being made redundant from her job, she saw an opportunity in what was an uncertain time.  

“I thought it was now or never,” she says.  

This was a turning point. 

She made the decision to study with the OU made because the flexibility would allow her to balance studies with life in a way that a traditional university simply hadn’t in the past. 

“Being able to organise your own study time is a highlight. It’s a lot of effort and work, but I found it miles better for my own work ethic than rigid timeframes.” 

The journey wasn’t without its difficulties. Going back into education was hard for Karen but she is certain now that it is one of the best decisions she has ever made. 

“The whole experience of studying at the OU was me overcoming a barrier. Going back and refusing to give up was huge for me and I feel a great difference in my ability to be resilient ever since.” 

Karen’s accomplishment’s didn’t go unnoticed at home and have even inspired those around her.  

“My brother has started his masters with the OU and my husband has began studying law with the OU. I think some people are surprised by how much the OU actually offers.” 

It’s something that also resonated in her former workplace where she worked as an administrator and learning support worker for centre helping adults with learning disabilities. Nowadays she works as a Project Trainer for a non-profit doing mental health workshops in schools. 

“My boss was thrilled for me when I finished and said that knowing I was studying with the OU when I went for the job was a hugely positive attribute to have.” 

Graduating in may be the end of a chapter for Karen but it came with an exciting sense of new beginnings too.  

“Graduating, without a doubt is my proudest achievement,” she says. “It never really seemed real after I submitted my final ever piece of work, and I still doubted it after getting my final marks. Only after getting the certificate in the mail did I really start to believe I’d done it.” 

The way Karen feels about the future is completely different now.  

“The world no longer seems out of bounds for me, and I’m loving that.” 

From battling mental health issues and dropping out of university to now celebrating a degree that she once though impossible, Karen is a prime example of resilience and proving that no barrier is too large with determination and the right support.  

“I enrolled in the OU and four years later I have my love for learning back, a better understanding of my own mental health and a 1^st class undergraduate degree in Psychology with Counselling.”