This course looks at a brief history of medications used in mental health, a look at how they affect neurotransmitters and synapses, what influences whether medication is useful for a person’s recovery, some potential negative effects and contraindications, the alternatives to medication and how people may reduce or stop taking them.
It will take approximately 40 to 75 minutes to complete, but this timing will depend on how fast you read and how long you spend on the activities and reflective questions. You do not need to complete the whole course in one go. If you leave and come back to the course it will remember where you got up to.
If you would like to get a certificate for this course, you must mark each page complete. You can do this by pressing the ‘Mark complete’ button at the bottom of each page.
This course is designed for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide therapy, medical advice or professional support. If you need crisis support, please contact local mental health services, your GP or telephone 111 or the emergency services on 999.
Course last reviewed April 2025.