Mental Health Awareness (Mental Health Pathway) - 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 and offers a nationally recognised qualification that supports both personal and professional development.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
24 Nov 2026	Bickerstaffe House	10 Weeks	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness is an excellent qualification for those aspiring to support others and promote mental wellbeing in a variety of settings. It provides a strong foundation for individuals working in health and social care, education, customer service, or community support roles where mental health awareness is increasingly valued.

This qualification is part of the Mental Health Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College, which includes a series of nationally recognised courses designed to enhance your skills and knowledge:

MENTAL HEALTH PATHWAY

NCFE Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness
NCFE Level 1 Award in Alcohol Awareness
NCFE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

Completing this course can lead to advanced qualifications and specialised roles, enhancing employability and providing opportunities for career progression in the sector. It’s a valuable step for those considering careers in support work, advocacy, education, or wellbeing services.

Next steps at B&FC

Having completed the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness, students can progress to a range of qualifications offered by Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) as part of the Mental Health Pathway. This pathway is designed to support learners in building advanced knowledge and preparing for roles in mental health support, advocacy, and care.

MENTAL HEALTH PATHWAY

NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health
Foundation Degree in Mental Health

These progression routes offer opportunities to deepen your understanding, develop specialist skills, and prepare for employment or further study in health and social care, counselling, or wellbeing services.

Employment Opportunities

Having completed the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness, students can apply for a variety of roles within the health and social care sector where mental health awareness is essential. This qualification demonstrates your ability to understand and support individuals experiencing mental health challenges with empathy and professionalism.

Potential job titles include:

These roles are commonly found in care homes, community organisations, schools, charities, and supported living environments. This course provides a strong foundation for making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and their families.

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

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

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:

Understanding Mental Health – Explore what mental health and mental ill-health mean, their impact, and the legal frameworks that support quality care.
Understanding Stress – Learn about the causes, symptoms, and management strategies for stress.
Understanding Anxiety – Understand anxiety, its effects, and how it can be treated and supported.
Understanding Phobias – Gain insight into phobias, their causes, and approaches to treatment and support.
Understanding Depression – Examine the symptoms and causes of depression and available support options.
Understanding Postnatal Depression – Explore the challenges of postnatal depression and how to support affected individuals.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder – Learn about bipolar disorder, its symptoms, and management strategies.
Understanding Schizophrenia – Understand schizophrenia and the importance of support systems.
Understanding Dementia – Discover how dementia affects individuals and ways to provide effective support.
Understanding Eating Disorders – Explore the causes and impact of eating disorders and how they can be treated.

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 face-to-face teaching, providing a supportive and engaging classroom environment. Teaching takes place in dedicated learning spaces where you’ll benefit from interactive, tutor-led sessions that encourage discussion, collaboration, and active participation.

The programme focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios in children’s social care. These activities may include role plays, group projects, case studies, and scenario-based learning—all designed to build your confidence and prepare you for the workplace.

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 you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the sector. Tutors are experienced professionals who bring real-life insights into the classroom, helping you connect theory to practice every step of the way.

Expert tutors

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

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like. 

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 related to childhood illnesses, 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.