iCQ Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
Course Overview
This is a knowledge based Level 2 qualification that develops your understanding of mental health, common conditions, the effect of poor mental health, and the laws that sit around practice.
You will not be assessed delivering care in a job role. Instead, you build a portfolio of evidence that shows your understanding of:
What mental health is and how it is perceived
Common mental health conditions and their signs and symptoms
The impact of poor mental health on everyday life
Ways to support people experiencing mental health problems
Key laws, rights and responsibilities linked to mental health
Who Is This For?
This qualification is suitable for:
Staff and volunteers in health, care, education or community roles
People supporting family members or friends with mental health needs
Anyone who wants a structured, recognised introduction to mental health
Learners from age 14 upwards (pre 16, 16 to 18 and adults)
You do not need to be working in a care setting to complete it.
What You Will Learn
You must complete all 5 mandatory units (14 credits in total).
(K/617/6473 – 3 credits, 25 GLH)
You will cover:
What is meant by mental well being, mental health and mental ill health
Factors that promote and protect mental health
Causes of mental health conditions
How biological, psychological and social factors influence mental health
Social, personal and economic effects of mental ill health
How mental health care has been viewed and delivered over time
Attitudes, stigma, myths and stereotypes in society, culture and the media
(A/617/6476 – 3 credits, 25 GLH)
You will build understanding of key conditions including:
Phobias
Depression and psychotic depression
Postnatal depression and puerperal psychosis
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Dementia
Eating disorders
Agoraphobia
You will look at:
- Definitions, signs and symptoms
- How each condition can make a person feel
- Possible causes and risk factors
- How each condition can affect well being, relationships, daily life and independence
- How other people’s reactions and behaviour can help or harm
- How postnatal depression can affect mother and baby bonding
- The four most common types of dementia in England
- How to support and manage care for someone with an eating disorder
(F/617/6477 – 3 credits, 25 GLH)
This unit focuses on impact in everyday life and how people cope, including:
How mental health problems affect day to day living, routines and roles
What is meant by stress, anxiety and panic attacks
Triggers and responses linked to stress, anxiety and panic
Positive and negative effects of stress
How anxiety affects behaviour, decisions and physical health
Internal and external pressures that affect coping
Negative thinking cycles and how they keep problems going
Practical ways people can manage stress and anxiety
The role of positive activities, interests and social contact
You also look at self management:
- Supporting people to maintain interests, social life and community links
- Why staying connected is important for mental health
- Real situations that cause stress or fear and how they can be addressed
(M/617/6474 – 3 credits, 25 GLH)
You will explore how to support people in real situations, including:
- Strategies and self help approaches for phobias, postnatal depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
- The importance of families, carers, friends and social networks
- How conditions such as anxiety, depression, postnatal depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, eating disorders and phobias can affect family and friends
You will also look at support options:
Medical and non medical interventions for eating disorders, dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, phobias, depression and psychotic depression
The role of self, others, services and community resources in:
Promoting positive mental health
Helping people cope with stress
Supporting recovery from eating disorders and other conditions
- Local mental health and well being resources and treatments
- How to signpost individuals, families and carers to further help, resources and guidance
(T/617/6475 – 2 credits, 15 GLH)
This unit sets the legal context, including:
Key legislation relevant to mental health
How law shapes the way care is provided
Rights of people experiencing mental health problems
Rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Mental Health Act 2007
Consent to treatment and what happens if a person may lack capacity
The role of advocacy and how advocates support decision making
Confidentiality and data protection in mental health
When confidentiality may need to be breached to raise safeguarding concerns
Knowledge based qualification at Level 2
Assessed through a portfolio of evidence
Total Qualification Time: 140 hours
Guided Learning Hours: 115
No written exam – centres set tasks and activities to check understanding
Assessment and internal quality assurance by the centre, with external quality assurance by iCQ
After this qualification, learners may:
Use the knowledge within health, care, education, youth work or community roles
Progress to broader care or health qualifications at Level 2 or Level 3
Move on to more specialised mental health or counselling related study
No formal entry requirements
Open to learners from pre 16 upwards (pre 16, 16 to 18 and adults)
Centres should ensure learners can meet the demands of a Level 2 knowledge qualification and are supported appropriately
Qualification Details
Qualification Title: iCQ Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
Qualification Number (QAN): 603/4694/2
Level: 2
Framework: RQF, Occupational Qualification
Sector Subject Area: Mental health awareness within health and social care
Total Credits: 14
Guided Learning Hours: 115
Total Qualification Time: 140 hours
Structure: 5 mandatory units (all must be achieved)
Assessment Method: Portfolio of evidence
Overall Grade: Pass
Availability: England only
