Description
Mental Health Awareness is about developing an understanding of one’s mental health needs and the potential to be vulnerable to further episodes of mental illness. Such awareness increases the likelihood people with mental illness, their families, and the services they are in contact with, will engage in health promoting and illness preventing actions. Awareness comprises a general understanding of one’s mental health, but also more specific knowledge of risk and protective factors for mental health. The section Risk and protective factors for mental health below presents some of the major risk and protective factors that affect ongoing wellbeing for people who have experienced mental illness. Learning to understand personal wellness needs in terms of these risk and protective factors is essential to supporting future mental health. This qualification aims to:
- Raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health difficulties
- Dispel some of the myths and misconceptions frequently linked to mental health issues
- Develop learners’ knowledge of the rights of those with mental health issues
Who is it suitable for?
The qualification is appropriate for a wide range of people with an interest in raising their own understanding of mental health issues. It would complement study in a range of areas
- Citizenship
- PSHE
- Healthcare
- Social Care
- Counselling
- public Services
It may also be particularly useful for those working within the voluntary and community sector and for others whose role calls for interaction with the general public in their day-to-day work.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification, but is recommended the minimum age is 14+ and have pass the basic Math’s and English grade C or above.
Where can I progress onto next?
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to:
- Level 1 Award in Substance Misuse Awareness
- Level 2 Award in Substance Misuse
- Level 2 Award in Helping Skills
- Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
What is the price for this qualification?
These courses are fully funded at zero cost unless they are not completed and learning materials are retained by the learner; please note that in these circumstances, there is a £125 fee.
Useful info
The course had a recommended that 25- 30 Guided Learning hours (GLR) and will consist of classroom talks and
interactions. Topics discussed are:
Physical health
- Risk factor – poor physical health
- Protective factor – physical wellbeing: general health, nutrition, sleep, exercise
Accommodation
- Risk factor – insecure, inappropriate and unsafe accommodation
- Protective factor – secure, appropriate and safe accommodation
Physical and emotional
- Risk factor – exposure to physical and emotional violence and threat of violence
- Protective factor – physical and emotional security
Alcohol and substance use
- Risk factor – harmful alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
- Protective factor – no harmful alcohol, tobacco and drug use
- To implement the Awareness components the following outcomes, need to be achieved:
- People who have been seriously affected by mental illness are able to develop awareness in their own way and their own time and through developmentally and culturally appropriate processes.
- Families and careers are able to develop awareness in a way that supports their family member and through developmentally and culturally appropriate processes.
- Services support the development of awareness for people who have experienced mental illness and their families and careers, in developmentally and culturally appropriate ways.
- Communities provide supportive environments for the development of awareness for people who have been seriously affected by mental illness and their families and careers, and the community in general.