Awareness of Mental Health Problems: Level 2 Certificate
For anyone looking to develop their understanding of mental health and the problems that can cause mental ill health.
Course summary
- Qualification
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
- Level
- Level 2
- Awarding body
- NCFE (CACHE)
- Qualification number (QAN)
- 601/3438/0
- Guided learning
- 160 hours
- Total time
- 160 hours, including study and assessment
- Cost
- Free if you are eligible
Who it's for and what you'll learn
This Awareness of Mental Health Problems NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification aims to:
- focus on the study of mental health and a range of mental health problems
- offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key core of knowledge
The objectives of this qualification are to:
- raise awareness of mental health and a range of mental health problems
- increase the learners understanding of a range of mental health problems, which could be used to support their role in the workplace or where they may work or interact with individuals with mental health problems
This course is ideal for those who work in, or are interested in, careers related to Education and Childcare.
This is especially useful for job roles such as Social Work Assistant, Mental Health Nurse or Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.
What the course covers
To be awarded the Awareness of Mental Health Problems level 2 qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 13 mandatory units:
Unit 1 - Understanding Mental Health
In this unit, the learner will understand what is meant by mental health and mental ill-health and its impact. They will also look at the legal frameworks that ensure high-quality care is provided.
The learner will:
- Know what is meant by mental health and mental ill-health
- Understand how mental health care has changed over time
- Understand the social context of mental ill health
- Understand the legal context of mental ill health
Unit 2 - Understanding Stress
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of stress and its causes, as well as the effects stress can have on individuals and their daily life. Learners will gain an understanding of ways in which stress can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘stress‘
- Understand possible causes of stress
- Understand how stress can affect an individual
- Understand how the demands of daily life can contribute to stress
- Understand how stress may be managed
Unit 3 - Understanding Anxiety
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of anxiety, the causes of anxiety and how it affects the individual and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of ways in which anxiety can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the terms ‘anxiety‘ and ‘panic attack‘
- Understand possible causes of anxiety
- Understand how anxiety can affect the individual and others
- Understand how different ways of thinking and behaving can affect anxiety
- Understand how anxiety may be managed
Unit 4 - Understanding Phobias
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of phobias, the causes of phobias and the effect they can have on the individual and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of ways in which phobias can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘phobias’
- Understand the possible causes of phobia
- Understand how a phobia can affect the individual and others
- Understand how phobias may be managed
Unit 5 - Understanding Depression
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of depression, the causes of depression and how it can affect individuals and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of ways in which depression can be managed
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘depression’
- Understand the possible causes of depression
- Understand how depression affects the individual and others
- Understand how the demands of daily life can affect depression
- Understand how depression can be managed
Unit 6 - Understanding Postnatal Depression
In this unit the learner will gain an understanding of postnatal depression and its causes, looking at how it can affect the individual and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of ways in which postnatal depression can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘postnatal depression’
- Understand the causes of postnatal depression
- Understand puerperal psychosis
- Understand how postnatal depression can affect the mother and others
- Understand how preparation for the birth can help reduce the risk of postnatal depression
- Understand how postnatal depression may be managed
- Understand how puerperal psychosis may be managed
Unit 7 - Understanding Bipolar Disorder
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of bipolar disorders, its causes and the effect it can have on individuals and their daily lives. Learners will gain an understanding of ways in which bipolar disorder can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘bipolar disorder’
- Understand the causes of bipolar disorder
- Understand how bipolar disorder can affect the individual and others
- Understand how the demands of daily life can influence the presentation of symptoms of bipolar disorder
- Understand how to recognise the symptoms of bipolar disorder
- Understand how bipolar disorder may be managed
Unit 8 - Understanding Schizophrenia
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of schizophrenia, the causes of schizophrenia and the media representation of the condition. Learners will gain an understanding of ways in which schizophrenia can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘schizophrenia’
- Understand how media representation of schizophrenia can create confusion about the illness
- Understand the causes of schizophrenia
- Understand how schizophrenia can affect the individual and others
- Understand how schizophrenia may be managed
Unit 9 - Understanding Dementia
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of dementia, its causes and how it can affect the individual and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of the ways in which dementia can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘dementia’
- Understand the causes of dementia
- Understand how dementia can affect the individual and others
- Understand how dementia may be managed
- Understand factors which may adversely affect a person with dementia
Unit 10 - Understanding Eating Disorders
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of eating disorders, the causes of eating disorders and how they can affect the individual and others. Learners will gain an understanding of ways in which eating disorders can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘eating disorder’
- Understand the causes of eating disorders
- Understand how an eating disorder may affect the individual and others
- Understand how a specific eating disorder may be managed
Unit 11 - Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of ADHD, the causes of the condition and the effect it can have on an individual and others. The learner will also gain an understanding of ways in which ADHD can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘ADHD’
- Understand the causes of ADHD
- Understand how ADHD can affect the individual and others
- Understand the symptoms associated with ADHD
- Understand how ADHD may be managed
Unit 12 - Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - OCD
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of OCD, the causes of OCD and how it can affect the individual and others. They will also understand the ways in which OCD can be managed.
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘OCD’
- Understand the causes of OCD
- Understand how OCD can affect the individual and others
- Understand the thoughts and behaviour associated with OCD
- Understand how OCD may be managed
Unit 13 - Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD
In this unit, the learner will gain an understanding of PTSD, its causes and how it can affect the individual and others. Learners will also gain an understanding of the ways in which PTSD can be managed
The learner will:
- Understand the term ‘PTSD’
- Understand the causes of PTSD
- Understand how PTSD can affect the individual and others
- Understand the symptoms associated with PTSD
- Understand how PTSD may be managed
How these courses usually work
Every provider does things a little differently, so check the details with them before you apply.
Where and how you study
Most of these courses are studied online, from home. You'll usually need internet access and a laptop or desktop computer. A phone or tablet may not be enough. Some providers can send paper workbooks if you ask.
How long it takes
- This qualification is designed to take about 160 hours in total, including study and assessment.
- Many learners finish in around 6 weeks by studying 4 to 5 hours a week. You can go faster if you have more time.
- Providers usually set a deadline, often 10 to 12 weeks after you start.
Support
Providers usually give you a tutor who marks your work and answers your questions by email, phone or message.
Assessment
There are usually no exams. Instead, you answer assessment questions as you work through the course and send them to your tutor to mark. If an answer needs more work, you can usually change it and send it again.
Your certificate
When you pass, your certificate comes from the awarding body, NCFE. It often takes 8 to 12 weeks to arrive after your final assessment.
Things to check before you start
- Many providers only let you study one funded course at a time.
- If you leave the course early, or don't finish by the deadline, some providers charge an admin or withdrawal fee, often around £125. Ask about this before you sign up.
Can I do this course for free?
ASF local flexibility: 19+, England resident, unemployed or earning under £26,800 (devolved areas vary). Care employers can reclaim via LDSS under this QAN.
Check whether you're eligible for a free course. The provider makes the final decision.
For care employers
This qualification is on the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) list, so adult social care employers can claim back the cost for their staff.How care employers can claim training funding.
Where can I study this?
We've found 4 providers offering this course for free to eligible learners.
Answer a few quick questions to check whether you’re likely to get this course for free. We’ll then show you which providers offer it.
What could I do next?
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Sources
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk
- NCFE qualification specification (601/3438/0)ncfe.org.uk (PDF)
- Eligible training courses and qualificationsgov.uk
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