Support
The key skills to be developed in the subject of Mental Wellbeing is to provide an introduction to mental wellbeing: what constitutes good mental health and mental ill-health; how to keep mentally healthy; how to recognise deteriorating mental health and support friends and family with mental health issues and how to access available support.
Nurture
The qualification provides a basic understanding of the core concepts associated with mental health. The lessons are planned carefully around discussion of specific mental health topics so that students can learn to identify good and bad mental health behaviours. Real life examples are used to form the discussions via the use of videos, mental health articles, news reports, online information from mental health charities and organisations and case studies. Students will be supported to develop confidence in identifying good and bad mental health both in themselves and others and know how to maintain good mental health in themselves and others as well as what actions to take when mental ill-health is identified.
Where additional reasonable adjustments are required, to help a student with a disability access their learning, this will be discussed individually with the student.
Inspire
Regardless of their knowledge and understanding at the starting point, all students will be encouraged to push themselves and challenge any preconceived ideas regarding mental ill-health. The students will be introduced to new topics and concepts that they may never have experienced that will help them to develop their thoughts and views on mental health and develop a positive mind-set. This will help them to develop the adult skills required to participate fully in all areas of a healthy functioning community.
Empower
Students can access different levels of this qualification according to their starting point of learning. They can develop their early understanding/skills by accessing a range of AQA units at either entry level 1, 2 or 3 including: Introduction to health and wellbeing, Emotional awareness, caring for ourselves, etc.
They can also gain a nationally recognised OFQUAL qualification via the Gateway Qualifications: Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award in Mental Wellbeing and Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Award in Mental Wellbeing.
The knowledge and understanding developed through undertaking the programme of learning should support further study relating to mental wellbeing.
The skills from these qualifications will help the students to have a good understanding of mental wellbeing, help them to identify the differences between good mental wellbeing and poor mental wellbeing, encourage them to help themselves and others when they are experiencing poor mental wellbeing.