Mental Health Awareness - Level 2

Summary

Do you want to better understand mental health and the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions? This course is ideal for anyone looking to raise their awareness, whether for personal growth, to support others, or to enhance their role in health and social care. It’s a powerful first step toward making a positive difference in people’s lives.

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness provides a broad introduction to mental health, exploring a range of conditions and the factors that influence mental wellbeing. You’ll gain insight into how mental health affects individuals, families, and communities, and learn how to respond with empathy, understanding, and appropriate support.

This course is suitable for learners from all backgrounds—whether you're looking to progress into a career in health and social care, complement your current role, or simply want to be more informed and supportive in everyday life. By the end of the programme, you’ll have a nationally recognised qualification and a deeper understanding of mental health that can benefit both your personal and professional development.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
09 Sep 2025	Bispham Campus	14 Weeks	Apply now
09 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	14 Weeks	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification is part of the Working in Mental Health pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College, designed to support learners who are passionate about understanding and supporting mental wellbeing. It serves as an excellent foundation for those looking to enter the health and social care sector or enhance their current role with a deeper awareness of mental health issues.

On completion, learners may consider roles in sectors such as:

Health and Social Care
Education and Youth Work
Community Support Services
Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
Customer Service and Public-Facing Roles

While this course does not qualify you to work in a clinical mental health role, it is highly valued by employers as evidence of your commitment to inclusive, empathetic and informed practice. It’s particularly useful for those working in roles where mental health awareness is essential, such as care assistants, teaching assistants, support workers, or customer service professionals.

For those looking to continue their learning journey, this course provides a natural progression to the NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health, where you can explore mental health conditions and support strategies in greater depth.

Next steps at B&FC

This qualification is part of the Working in Mental Health pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College, designed to support learners who want to build a deeper understanding of mental health and progress within the sector.

Upon successful completion of the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness, students can progress to the following B&FC course:

NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

This Level 3 qualification allows learners to explore mental health conditions in greater depth, develop more advanced knowledge of support strategies, and prepare for roles with increased responsibility or further study in health and social care, counselling, or mental health support.

Employment Opportunities

While this qualification does not qualify you for clinical roles, it provides a valuable foundation for a wide range of support-based and public-facing positions where mental health awareness is essential. If you choose to move directly into employment after completing this course, you may consider roles such as:

Mental Health Support Worker (entry-level)
Healthcare Assistant
Support Worker
Community Outreach Worker
Peer Support Worker
Teaching Assistant (with a focus on wellbeing)
Youth Support Worker
Customer Service Advisor (in wellbeing-focused organisations)
Volunteer Coordinator (in mental health charities)

These roles are often found in settings such as care homes, community centres, schools, charities, and supported living environments. This qualification demonstrates your commitment to understanding mental health and supporting others with empathy and awareness—qualities that are highly valued across many sectors.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements:

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:

DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is not required for enrolment on this course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment or voluntary work involving vulnerable adults. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.
English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.

These entry requirements ensure that learners are prepared to engage fully with the course and are aware of the expectations for future progression or employment in mental health and care-related roles.

Qualification obtained

Certificate in Mental Health Awareness

Fees and funding

As per course file/funding rules

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with this course.

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

This course is made up of ten informative units, each designed to build your understanding of mental health and specific mental health conditions. You’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and support strategies for a wide range of issues, as well as the impact on individuals and their support networks.

Unit 01: Understanding Mental Health
Learn what mental health and mental ill-health mean, their impact, and the legal frameworks that support quality care.
Unit 02: Understanding Stress
Explore the causes and symptoms of stress, and discover effective ways to manage it.
Unit 03: Understanding Anxiety
Understand the nature of anxiety, how it affects individuals, and how it can be treated and supported.
Unit 04: Understanding Phobias
Gain insight into different types of phobias, their causes, and how they can be managed.
Unit 05: Understanding Depression
Learn about the symptoms and causes of depression, and how it can be treated and supported.
Unit 06: Understanding Postnatal Depression
Explore the unique challenges of postnatal depression and the support available for individuals and families.
Unit 07: Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Understand the characteristics of bipolar disorder and how it can be managed.
Unit 08: Understanding Schizophrenia
Learn about schizophrenia, its symptoms, and the importance of support systems.
Unit 09: Understanding Dementia
Explore the effects of dementia and how to support individuals living with the condition.
Unit 10: Understanding Eating Disorders
Understand the causes and impact of eating disorders, and how they can be treated and supported.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There is no mandatory work placement required for this course, making it accessible to learners who may not currently be working or volunteering in a care setting. However, gaining voluntary or part-time experience in a relevant environment—such as a community support service, school, or care organisation—can significantly enhance your understanding and employability.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enrich your learning experience through guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from across the mental health and care sectors, including representatives from local NHS services, mental health charities, and community outreach programmes.

These guest lectures and live discussions provide valuable insights into real-world practice, current challenges in mental health support, and emerging trends in the sector. They also offer opportunities to ask questions, build connections, and gain a clearer understanding of the diverse career paths available in mental health and wellbeing.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course—you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.

Teaching takes place in hybrid classrooms, allowing for interactive, tutor-led sessions that support both classroom-based and remote participation when appropriate. The programme primarily focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world care scenarios.

Teaching methods include:

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.

This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

Assessment Methods:

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate care and support.

Grading:

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.