Mental Health Awareness | Half-day

Mental Health Awareness | QNUK Level 1 Award (RQF)

The starting point for every organisation that takes its people’s wellbeing seriously.

In any given year, one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem. Most of those people are in work. Yet mental health remains one of the least discussed topics in most workplaces, partly because people do not know where to begin, and partly because the language and concepts involved feel unfamiliar.

This half-day qualification changes that. The QNUK Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness (RQF) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification, listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and developed in line with NHS guidance and leading mental health charities. It is the appropriate entry-level qualification for any employee, regardless of sector or seniority, who wants a clear, evidence-based understanding of what mental health means and how to take better care of their own.

Four hours is a meaningful investment. At the end of it, delegates understand what mental health is, what the most common conditions look like, how stigma works and how to reduce it, and what practical steps they can take to protect their own wellbeing. That is a solid foundation for any organisation building a mentally healthy workplace culture.

This course is available face to face and online. Contact us to discuss which format suits your team.

What You Will Learn

This qualification has one mandatory unit covering four connected learning outcomes.

1. Understanding Mental Health

• The World Health Organisation definition of mental health, and what mental wellbeing means in practice
• The distinction between mental health and mental ill-health, and why getting this right matters for how we talk about it and respond to it
• The risk factors that affect mental health, including personal, social, economic and environmental influences

2. Recognising Common Mental Health Conditions

• The common mental health conditions that most people in work may encounter, including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder
• The causes, potential triggers and individual impact of each condition
• Where to find support: GPs, MIND, Samaritans, and local organisations and charities

3. Reducing Stigma

• What stigma is and where it comes from
• How stigma affects the lives of people with mental health conditions, including at work
• Practical, everyday ways to reduce stigma: education, language, open conversation, and challenging negative assumptions

4. Strategies for Better Mental Wellbeing

• Evidence-based strategies for improving and maintaining mental wellbeing, including exercise, sleep, social connection, mindfulness and reducing harmful behaviours
• How to apply these strategies in a realistic, sustainable way

Course Details

Learning and Assessment:

• Course Duration: You will complete the programme over a minimum of 4 hours.
• Delivery Formats: We offer this course via face-to-face classroom learning or within a virtual environment featuring a proctored online examination.
• Assessment: You will complete an invigilated multiple-choice exam, under standard classroom testing conditions.
• Exam Details: The exam lasts 30 minutes and contains 15 questions. You must score 70% (11/15) or higher to pass.

Group Size:

• Face-to-Face Delivery: Generally we have a maximum of 12 candidates, but we can run this course for up to 20 candidates.
• Virtual/Online Delivery: We limit the ratio to 1:8 to maximize interaction and ensure your instructor can safely monitor and manage any sensitive triggers.

Certificate Period:

• We recommend that you undertake a refresher course every 3 years.

Pre-requisites:

• Age: You must be 16 years or older to take this qualification.
• Language: You must possess a sufficient command of the English language to understand the material and complete the assessment methods.
• Prior Learning: This qualification requires no specific prior learning or experience.

Progression:

• After completing this course, you can progress to:
  • QNUK Level 2 Award in Mental Health at Work (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 2 Award in Awareness of Young Peoples Mental Health (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 3 Award in Mental Health at Work (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of mental Health Conditions (RQF)
  • QNUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health (RQF)

Choosing the Right Course

This Level 1 Award is the right starting point for whole-staff awareness. If your role involves working directly with people who may be in mental health difficulty, the Level 2 qualifications below provide significantly more depth.