Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness
www.activeiq.co.uk
Up and down the country; in schools and workplaces; in towns, cities, and villages; among men and women; between young and old – the UK was finally talking about mental health. And they were talking without sadness, and without stigma. They were talking in a frank way, with everyday language, and without fear of judgement, to their friends, to their partners, to their children, and to their colleagues. But while we are all here to mark what has been achieved, we all know that there is much more still to be done.
Prince William Speaking on World Mental Health Day last year
With one in every four people experiencing a mental health problem at some point in their lives, a greater awareness of mental health issues and an understanding of how to manage our mental health is required. 2
DID YOU KNOW? Women are much more likely to have a common mental illness than men. One in five have reported having a mental health problem, compared with one in eight men. In addition to this, females are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
Mental health issues in the UK are a growing problem affecting the quality of life of millions of people. Mental health problems lead to nearly 17.6 million days of sick leave in the UK. Early diagnosis or recognition along with appropriate support and treatment is critical. Our aim with the Mental Health Awareness qualification, is to equip people from a range of backgrounds and vocations with the knowledge and skills required to recognise and support someone with a mental health problem, whether this be in their workplace, in their community or in their own home. This is a really important piece of work and I am delighted to see Active IQ focusing on this fantastic project to contribute to mental health awareness.
Dr Dane Vishnubala Active IQ Chief Medical Advisor WWW.ACTIVEIQ.CO.UK
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Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness The Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness aims to increase people’s awareness and understanding of mental health. It helps to reduce stigma and discrimination, encouraging people to talk about mental health. The qualification also provides learners with an understanding of ways to manage and improve their own mental health and how to offer mental health first aid. The qualification is designed to be delivered over 15 hours and consists of two units: the Mental Health Awareness unit, which aims to improve knowledge and understanding, change attitudes, encourage people to talk about mental health and remove social stigma. The second unit, Mental Health First Aid gives learners the basic tools to help someone who is developing a mental health issue, experiencing mental health problems or in a sudden mental health crisis. The First Aid module sets this Active IQ qualification apart from others in the market.
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The First Aid module sets this Active IQ qualification apart from others in the market.
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Qualification content Unit 1 – Mental Health Awareness This unit provides learners with an understanding of mental health through definitions of mental health and the mental health continuum. They will learn how to reduce and challenge the stigma and discrimination, which are often caused by prejudice and a lack of knowledge. The unit also covers mental health statistics and helps to separate mental health facts from the myths.
EXAMPLES OF FACTS AND MYTHS ‘People with mental health problems are violent’
FACT
People with mental health problems are, in fact, more likely to be the victims of violence. Only 1% of victims of violence believed that it was due to the offender having a mental illness.
‘You can’t recover from mental health problems’
FACT
MYTH
Although mental problems don’t just ago away, many people with mental health problems are able to live fulfilling lives, have families and have successful jobs.
‘People with schizophrenia have a split personality’
FACT
MYTH
MYTH
The most common symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations and delusions. The misconception about schizophrenia comes from its definition, ‘the mind being split from reality’.
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Learners will explore their duty of care in relation to mental health and find out about the role of the media in the portrayal of mental health, both positive and negative. This will include TV, news reporting, online and on social media. Following the study of unit 1, learners will be able to identify the main signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders and mental health problems, including: »» Depression »» Anxiety disorders: stress, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder »» Schizophrenia »» Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa »» Addiction and substance misuse »» Bereavement »» Self-harm They will understand the risk factors associated with mental ill health, such as genetics, cognitions, learned experiences and lifestyle, and the common treatments and interventions used to manage mental health and mental ill health, such as counselling, therapy, medication and mindfulness. Finally, learners will find out about the support and advice available for mental ill health and will be provided with sources of information, support and guidance from organisations such as:
www.actionforhappiness.org
www.time-to-change.org.uk
www.samaritans.org www.mind.org.uk
www.rethink.org
They will also learn how, when and who can access support from GPs, Community Mental Health teams (CMHT) , crisis teams, emergency services, charity organisations, workplace support, student services and apps.
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Unit 2 – Mental Health First Aid In unit 2, those taking the qualification will develop the ability to recognise and respond to the signs of mental ill health in themselves and others, and be able provide initial help to a person experiencing mental ill health.
What is mental health first aid (MHFA)? MHFA is the help offered to someone who is either: »» Developing a mental health issue »» Experiencing a worsening of a mental health issue »» In a mental health crisis There are four key aims of MHFA:
1. Preserve life 2. Prevent further harm 3. Provide comfort 4. Promote recovery
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Assessment
Unit 1 is assessed via an online knowledge test, while unit 2 is scenario based. Learners will watch videos of people talking about their mental health and will be required to apply their knowledge by answering questions about the mental health first aid they would offer.
Supporting materials There are extensive materials to support the delivery of the qualification, including an interactive combined manual and workbook, incorporating a range of activities and discussion points around the content of the course. Discussing mental health is essential to help change attitudes to reduce stigma and discrimination. The workbook and manual include scenarios in which learners can apply their MHFA knowledge. There is also eLearning and PowerPoint presentations covering both units of the qualification.
One child in ten has a diagnosable mental health condition. 8
DID YOU KNOW?
17%
of people will experience suicidal thoughts in their lifetime.
DID YOU KNOW? There are over 6,000 suicides a year in the UK for people aged 15 and over. Of these, approximately 78% are male and 22% are female. Sadly, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in this country.
6,000 Stats from: mentalhealth.org.uk, bbc.co.uk/news/health, mind.org.uk and time-to-change.org.uk
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Use our acronym to help support others with their mental health. Are you OK? Fancy a C hat? Time for a cuppa? I ’m listening and not judging Are you sure eVerything is OK? E ncourage professional and self help I’m still here to help Let’s keep asking the Q uestion
DID YOU KNOW?
23%
of NHS activity is taken up by mental illness, but mental health trusts have been receiving only about 12% of all NHS funding over the past few years.
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TOP TEN The Mental Health Foundation has identified ten ways to promote good mental health. 1. Talk about your feelings 2. Keep active 3. Eat well 4. Drink alcohol sensibly 5. Keep in touch with others 6. Ask for help 7. Take breaks from what you are doing 8. Do something that you’are good at and enjoy
9. Accept who you are and be kind to yourself 10. Care for other people WWW.ACTIVEIQ.CO.UK
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Dryden House St. Johns Street Huntingdon PE29 3NU
T 01480 467 950 info@activeiq.co.uk www.activeiq.co.uk
With one adult in every six experiencing a mental health problem every week, it is essential that everyone has an awareness of mental problems and knows how to support friends, family and colleagues who are experiencing these difficulties. Through increasing awareness, changing attitudes and reducing stigma and discrimination, people can treat mental illness and physical illness equally. This qualification is a step towards this and also equips learners with the basic mental health first aid skills to support those with mental ill health. Having a conversation about mental health really can save a life!
Andy Gilbert Qualification Development Manager
Learn more about Active IQ’s qualifications, products and services at www.activeiq.co.uk
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