Level 2 award in mental health awareness and support
Discover how to better support your clients to become more resilient with this essential mental health awareness course.
The UK’s leading online mental health awareness course
Equip yourself with the latest knowledge and understanding of key mental health issues with this Level 2 mental health awareness course. The knowledge and skills you develop will enable you to better recognise, support and signpost others on their health and wellbeing journey.
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Study-time:
Complete this course in 2-4 weeks
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Study-method:
Online study with real tutor support
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Accreditation:
YMCA Awards, Ofqual and CIMSPA endorsed
Course overview: mental health awareness
It is well documented that a person’s mental health is as important as their physical health and wellbeing and society is beginning to embrace this fact. According to the NHS, it is estimated that around a quarter of the UK adult population experience mental health illness, and around 10% of all children also struggle with their mental health.
Based on current population data, this means that around 16.8 million adults, and approximately 6.5 million children experience difficulties with their mental health. Clearly, the data illustrates that there is a genuine need for greater awareness and support within society, which is precisely why this qualification exists.
The health and fitness industry plays an important role in the wider health and wellbeing strategy of the nation. Fitness professionals are often on the front line, supporting their clients on their journey to become fitter, healthier, and hopefully, happier. Health is much more than simply an absence of disease, and today’s exercise professionals must be able to recognise clients struggling with their mental health, reach out to offer support, and signpost them appropriately to mental health and wellbeing services if required.
To be able to provide this service to clients, exercise professionals need a greater array of knowledge and skills of common mental health illnesses, as well as the appropriate treatment options and support services that are available. This is the knowledge and understanding that will be obtained by completing this mental health awareness course.
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Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. All you need is a willingness to learn more about mental health, an open mind, and an empathetic attitude.
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Accreditations
This course leads to a fully regulated (Ofqual) qualification that is certificated by YMCA Awards. On completion, you will receive the following qualification: Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness and Understanding Approaches to Support Individuals.
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Employment opportunities
This qualification isn’t linked to any specific role within the fitness industry. That said, by completing it, there may be number of workplace opportunities and progression routes that could open up, including becoming the workplace mental health champion, the mental health first-aider, and/or, being able to provide tailored exercise programmes in your area of expertise (e.g., gym, studio, outdoors) specifically for people struggling with their mental health.
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CIMSPA points
This qualification is endorsed CIMSPA, and is worth 10 CIMSPA CPD Points
Recognise, support and signpost mental health
Develop a broader and deeper understanding of mental health issues so that you are better equipped to recognise those affected, support them within your capability, and where necessary, signpost to other professionals.
This mental health awareness course is presented in a way that relates specifically to the role of exercise and fitness professionals, allowing them to develop a broader and deeper understanding of key mental health issues and conditions affecting people in society today.
Ultimately, the goal of this qualification is to equip fitness professionals sufficient levels of knowledge, skills, and confidence to:
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Recognise those who are struggling with their mental health
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Reach out and offer an empathetic and understanding ear to clients/colleagues
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Support others in their efforts to sense of their mental health difficulties
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Signpost to appropriately qualified and experienced mental health professionals
Course content: mental health awareness
The online course is packed with a wide-range of interactive online learning activities covering a myriad of contemporary evidence-based concepts and approaches to supporting and managing mental health illnesses and conditions.
This course is tailored for exercise and fitness professionals, including personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and health and wellbeing coaches. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to enhance your existing skills, this qualification offers a valuable enhancement to your professional qualifications.
This is an entirely self-paced course in which you will work independently through the following 4 online learning modules:
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Understanding mental health and mental ill-health
Defining mental health and mental ill-health
Classification of mental health conditions
Prevalence of mental health conditions
Factors contributing to the development of mental health conditions
The effects of societal attitudes towards mental health -
Understanding common mental health conditions
Depression
Stress and anxiety-related disorders
Panic attacks and panic disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorders
Eating disorders -
Managing risks associated with mental health conditions
Identifying risks associated with mental health conditions
Approaches for managing risks
Understanding self-harm
Understanding suicide
Mental health organisations and support services -
Supporting mental health through diet and physical activity
Healthy eating for mental health
Importance of physical activity and exercise for mental health
Effects of different types of exercise and physical activity
Lifestyle choices and the effects of these on mental health
Other ways to support mental health through physical activity
You're in safe hands
Here at HFE, we’re passionate about seeing our students flourish and our 5-star support systems are at the heart of this process. Whether you have a quick question about the course content, or you need a one-to-one appointment with one of our support tutors to talk through a specific assessment, our team of friendly and experienced tutors will be here for you.
This level 2 mental health awareness course has been specifically designed with your success in mind. The course has been structured in such a way that all you need to do is to follow the study guide, engage with the learning activities, and complete the corresponding assessments. However, if at any point you do need some extra support or guidance, support is available. It’s also completely unlimited so you can access as much as you need to achieve.
There are a few ways that support is available, including:
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Phone
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Email
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Video call
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Webinar
How you'll be assessed
The assessments for this mental health awareness course are classified as formative and summative. The formative assessments are essentially ‘optional’ learning checks that you complete throughout your learning. The summative assessments are mandatory, and you will be required to complete 4 separate online assessments to demonstrate you have sufficient knowledge and understanding to achieve this qualification. Each assessment is completed at a different stage of the learning journey, demonstrating how your mental health awareness, and understanding develops as you progress through the course. Each assessment and their relative contribution to the overall course are itemised in the following charts.
40%
MH Workbooks
- Completed online
- Multiple choice/option
- Unlimited re-attempts
30%
Leaflet/Posters
- Focus on raising awareness
- Benefits of exercise and physical activity
- Submit to tutor for marking
30%
Case-Study
- Workbook style questions
- Scenario-based
- Wide-range of mental health issues
Why complete this mental health course?
As a health and fitness professional, you could be forgiven for questioning why you need to learn more about mental health and mental ill-health. Afterall, exercise and fitness training are clearly physical dimensions of health and this is the domain that most fitness instructors and personal trainers operate within.
There are strong links between mental health and physical health and they are both essential pillars of wellbeing, which is a broader classification of health, fitness, and happiness that most aspire towards.
It is widely documented that those who struggle with mental health will often make poor lifestyle choices which also compromise their physical health, whether that be overeating, consuming alcohol, smoking, vaping, or generally being inactive. Similarly, many people with physical health conditions, like arthritis, back pain, or diabetes for example, will often develop secondary mental health conditions because of the physical limitations and/or pain (and other symptoms) that they are experiencing.
While the specific pathways and reasons are unclear, the links are undeniable, and this explains why all exercise and fitness professionals should be suitably aware of key mental health issues and conditions.
The following list provides a range of reasons why exercise professionals of today should complete this qualification.
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Better understand your client’s and colleagues mental health challenges
Develop an up-to-date perspective on a range of common mental health conditions and the different ways that these can affect people. This knowledge will help you to become more empathetic, empowering your clients/colleagues to implement life-improving solutions, and/or seek professional help.
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Discover effective support mechanisms
Learn practical strategies that can be used with clients to help them better manage their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (amongst other conditions), making a meaningful contribution to their overall wellbeing.
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Know when to signpost and refer
Develop the confidence to recognise when people need professional help and learn who and when to signpost your clients and colleagues to ensure that they receive timely and appropriate support that is beyond your professional scope of practice.
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Enhance your professional reputation
With your newfound knowledge on contemporary mental health-related issues, which will inform a broader and more rounded perspective on how mental health can affect people differently, you’ll adapt your working practices accordingly and become more appealing to people in need of your services and empathy.
This qualification will also demonstrate to all that you are committed to high professional standards and providing a comprehensive and inclusive fitness training services to clients. -
Champion mental health agendas
By completing this mental health awareness course, you’ll demonstrate to others that you’re committed to raising awareness and understanding of contemporary mental health challenged and conditions. Help to change the stigma associated with mental health, promoting a more compassionate, tolerant, and inclusive fitness industry.
One mental health course. Unlimited possibilities.
Follow in the footsteps of our mental health awareness graduates who are now working with some of the worlds leading, health, fitness, and wellbeing brands.
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Thank you for signing up. If you want career advice or to learn more about the courses we offer, reach out to our friendly careers team.