The NOCN Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness is a UK regulated vocational qualification designed to develop essential knowledge and understanding of mental health, mental wellbeing and their impact on individuals and society. Awarded by NOCN, the qualification is intended for learners who want to strengthen their awareness of mental health and understand factors that can influence mental wellbeing.

The qualification focuses on the core principles of mental health awareness, including understanding mental health, recognising factors that may influence wellbeing, developing awareness of available support, and exploring foundational resilience strategies that can benefit individuals and others. This makes the qualification relevant to workplace, community, health and social care, education and personal development contexts.

The NOCN Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness consists of one mandatory component: Mental Health Awareness. The qualification is designed to provide a concise foundation that can support learners who are beginning their learning journey in mental health or seeking relevant knowledge for their existing role.

Assessment arrangements provide flexibility, with NOCN’s current specification allowing either an internally assessed portfolio of evidence or an externally set and assessed multiple-choice knowledge test, with the centre determining the assessment route.

For learners in the UK and internationally, the qualification can provide a structured foundation for further learning in mental health and related areas. NOCN specifically identifies progression towards the NOCN Level 3 Award in First Aid for Mental Health.