Qualification Structure

The NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health is a 3-credit qualification with a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 15 hours, including 15 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment for the NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with NOCN assessment and quality assurance requirements to ensure that learners demonstrate the required knowledge, understanding and application of mental health first aid principles.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 3 mandatory components.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: Mental Health Awareness

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand mental health terminology and its impact.
• Understand legislation relating to mental health.
• Understand how to maintain own mental health.
• Understand where to access appropriate help and support.

Unit 2: Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand roles and responsibilities in relation to positive promotion of mental health in the workplace.
• Understand work-related stress.
• Understand strategies for dealing with mental health issues in the workplace.

Unit 3: Common Mental Health Conditions

On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Understand a range of common mental health conditions.
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions.
• Understand appropriate support for individuals experiencing common mental health conditions.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health is designed for learners who have a responsibility for providing mental health support, contributing to workplace wellbeing, or supporting mental health policies and procedures within an organisation. The NOCN specification identifies First Aiders for Mental Health, HR staff and senior managers responsible for mental health policy among its intended learners.

This qualification is particularly suitable for:

• First Aiders for Mental Health: Individuals responsible for providing initial support to colleagues experiencing mental health difficulties in the workplace.
• HR Professionals: Human resources staff who support employee wellbeing, workplace policies, staff concerns and appropriate signposting to further support.
• Senior Managers: Managers with responsibility for developing, implementing or overseeing organisational mental health policies and procedures.
• Workplace Wellbeing Personnel: Individuals involved in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within an organisation.
• Employees with Mental Health Support Responsibilities: Staff who may be designated to recognise concerns, provide appropriate initial support and refer individuals to suitable sources of help.
• Professionals Seeking Mental Health Awareness: Learners who need structured knowledge of common mental health conditions, signs and symptoms, self-help approaches and the boundaries of a mental health first aider's role.
• UK and International Learners: The qualification can be relevant to learners working in organisations where mental health awareness, workplace wellbeing and appropriate support are important areas of responsibility.

The qualification focuses on recognising mental health conditions, supporting individuals experiencing mental health issues, understanding the limits of the mental health first aider role, referring individuals to appropriate sources of support, and promoting positive mental wellbeing within an organisation.

It is therefore suited to learners seeking a structured Level 3 qualification in First Aid for Mental Health for workplace and organisational settings, rather than a qualification intended to replace professional clinical or medical mental health treatment.

Career Opportunities

The NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health provides learners with essential knowledge of mental health awareness, positive mental health promotion and common mental health conditions. The qualification develops understanding of mental health, workplace wellbeing, signs and symptoms of common conditions, appropriate support strategies and sources of help. It is suitable for UK and international learners seeking a recognised Level 3 qualification for supporting mental health within workplace and organisational settings.

Future Progression

he NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health provides learners with knowledge that can support workplace responsibilities and progression in areas related to mental health awareness, employee wellbeing and organisational support. The qualification develops understanding of mental health, common mental health conditions, workplace wellbeing and appropriate sources of support, providing a foundation that can be relevant across workplace, community, HR and wellbeing environments.

Academically, learners may progress to higher-level qualifications in mental health, health and social care, counselling, wellbeing or related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification can also support further learning in areas such as mental health awareness, workplace wellbeing, first aid, health and social care, and related subjects.

Professionally, this qualification can support responsibilities or progression towards roles such as Mental Health First Aider, Workplace Wellbeing Coordinator, HR Assistant, Employee Wellbeing Advisor, Community Support Worker, Wellbeing Officer, HR Wellbeing Coordinator and Mental Health Awareness Trainer, depending on the learner’s experience, additional training and employer requirements. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for recognising mental health concerns, providing appropriate initial support and signposting individuals towards suitable sources of help.