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Understanding Mental Health
Level 3 Certificate
About the Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health
This mental health course will enable you to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of mental health and well-being. It will equip learners with the skills needed to work in mental health services, making it ideal for those who want to progress in the health and social care sector.
With increasing worries around each life stage, whether linked to exam pressure, work expectations, unemployment or financial difficulties, it is not surprising that individuals may struggle to cope with the demands of everyday life. Approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. This is why it is more important than ever before to increase our understanding of mental health in order to tackle this growing health concern and challenge the stigma attached to mental ill health.
Start Date:
Enrolment anytime
Course Length:
20 weeks
Learning Methods:
Online materials, online assessments
Enquire Now
Please fill in the form below and a member of our team will be in contact with you to discuss your enquiry
What does the qualification cover?
The objectives of this qualifications are to help learners to understand:
- Mental health legislation, services and public attitudes and how these have evolved
- How to support mental well-being through various stages of life
- Mental ill health, treatment options available and the potential consequences of mental ill health
- The skills required to work in a mental health service
Unit 1: Understand the role of the mental health care worker
Section 1: Understand the role of reflective practice and how to evaluate and develop own skills and knowledge as part of continual professional development
Section 2: Understand the different roles and responsibilities relevant to those involved in providing mental health care
Unit 2: Understand mental health conditions in context
Section 1: Understand mental health principles
Section 2: Understand legislation in the context of mental health conditions
Section 3: Understand how campaigns and strategies can be used to promote mental well-being
Section 4: Understand attitudes towards mental health in society
Unit 3: Living with a mental health condition
Section 1: Understand how living with a mental health condition impacts on individuals
Section 2: Understand how families of individuals with mental health conditions are affected
Unit 4: Mental health conditions and destructive behaviour
Section 1: Why a person with a mental health condition might be vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and self-harm, the warning signs and how to support an individual who is contemplating suicide
Section 2: Understand the potential consequences for individuals who engage in self-destructive behaviour
Section 3: Understand why an individual with a mental health condition might engage in criminal activity and how the criminal justice system may impact on and protect those with mental health conditions
Section 4: Know how to support someone with a mental health condition who displays self-destructive behaviour
Unit 5: Understanding treatment of mental health conditions
Section 1: Understand the role of diagnosis and planning in the recovery process for individuals with a mental health condition
Section 2: Know a range of treatments available for individuals with mental health conditions
Quick FAQs
This qualification is designed to increase learners’ knowledge and understanding of mental health and mental well-being. Successful completion of the required units will allow the learner to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of mental health. It will also support learner progression into relevant employment within the health and social care sector.
There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification, however, learners may find it helpful if they’ve already achieved a Level 2 mental health qualification, or qualifications in healthcare or social care contexts.
Learners should be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification.
To achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health, learners must successfully demonstrate their achievement of all learning outcomes of the units as detailed in the qualification specification.
No, this is a knowledge-only qualification.
Successful completion of this qualification will support progression into relevant employment within the health and social care sector.
Learners
Above National Average
Employers Recommend
Learner Satisfaction Rate
Registered Managers Enrolled
I recently completed my Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management in Adult Care with Access Skills Ltd, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. From the very beginning, their support was exceptional.
What stood out to me was the initial assessment — I originally planned to enroll for the Level 3 program, but after a thorough review of my background and qualifications, Access Skills recommended I go straight to Level 5. This recognition of my potential gave me a great sense of confidence and motivation.
Though I wasn’t thrilled about having to take the English and Mathematics proficiency tests, the encouragement and support I received made all the difference. Deborah Wyber was fantastic in helping me prepare for the Mathematics test, and thanks to her guidance, I passed on my first attempt. Sarb Relihan supported me with English lessons, and beyond that, she shared invaluable advice on work-life balance — guidance that helped me push through a challenging period in my life.
A special mention goes to Karen Everitt, whose support was truly exceptional. She closely monitored my progress, consistently checked in with me, and helped me develop strategies to balance work, family, and studies. At one point, when I was struggling to keep up, Karen arranged back-to-back catch-up sessions and set realistic deadlines, keeping me focused and on track. Without her timely intervention, I doubt I would have completed the program as efficiently as I did.
Katherine Oglesby played a pivotal role in my journey. From the very start, she recognized my potential and went above and beyond to ensure I had the resources and support I needed. Every session with Katherine was eye-opening — she always had useful links, documents, and advice to share, helping me prepare thoroughly for each stage of the program. Her guidance leading up to my End-Point Assessment was invaluable, and I’m proud to say I passed on my first attempt.
Overall, Access Skills Ltd provided me with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to achieve my qualification — a significant step toward my goal of advancing in the care sector. Their team is professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in their learners’ success. The program, though initially daunting as I was new to care, became more manageable with the support sessions, webinars, tripartite meetings, workshops, and learner support systems.
I highly recommend Access Skills Ltd to anyone looking to grow their career in health and social care. Thank you to the entire team for being such a crucial part of my professional journey!
If the support moving forward is anything like the enrolment process then I will be very happy.
I called to enquire about one particular course and to enroll one employee, but Asim Hussain took the time to understand my circumstances and provided me with helpful information that allowed me to enroll multiple employees. He followed up and was patient throughout the entire process.
