Mental Health AAQ

Mental Health AAQ is an academic subject that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for further study and work in the health, social care and early years sectors. The course covers key areas such as legislation, care values, effective communication, barriers that people in society may face, and their effects on people’s self-esteem, family, health and work.

About 3 million people work in health and social care in the UK. Health care roles include the need for staff to understand mental health. Role students move on to include associate doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, while social care roles include care assistants, occupational therapists, counsellors and administrators. Together, they account for nearly one in ten of all paid jobs available in the UK. Demand for both health and social care and mental health is likely to rise as people live longer lives. Therefore, Health and Social Care and mental health will continue to play a key role in UK society and the demand for people to carry out these vital roles will increase.

Health and Social Care students at Sirius Academy West benefit from a wide variety of opportunities in Health and Social Care and mental health in Hull. Hull University offer courses in nursing, social work, councelling and most care related degrees. There are two main hospitals in Hull, Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital and many providers of health services and social care services. Students are able to benefit from examples of outstanding care in their community. Labour market information shows health and social care as a growth sector in Hull.

Health and Social Care involves learning key skills that will help with everyday life and caring for others. The key skills in Health and Social Care are; effective communication, first aid, health and wellbeing, understanding legislation. mental health is an academic subject with a strong practical element.

The skills of effective communication are also studied in great depth and students learn techniques to help them become more effective listeners and communicators. This is a skill that is vital in all parts of everyday life and will support students in other subjects.

Exam unit - Fundamentals of mental health, Students look at the meaning of mental health and wellbeing, common mental health conditions, management of common mental health conditions and a study of the brain and body.

Exam Unit - Mental health and wellbeing - students will understand common perceptions of mental health and wellbeing and what influences mental health

Coursework unit - Supporting and promoting mental health within organisations - Students look at mental health in the workplace and plan an effective campaign

Coursework unit - community based support for mental health and wellbeing - Students study community based contentedness and support in the community for mental health and wellbeing

Coursework unit - Supporting mental health and wellbeing through creative or sporting activities - Students will be able to study the support for mental health through either sport or creative activities

The course is assessed in 5 units, 2 exam based assessments and 3 coursework based assessments, the units have equal weighting for the final grade.

Five GCSEs at a grade 4 or above.

This course will lead to University courses or apprenticeships in careers such as courses in Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Teaching and Early Years degrees.