Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness — SEG Awards Other Life Skills Qualification Employability & Work Skills Revision

    This subtopic introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of mental health and wellbeing, exploring the distinction between mental health and mental il

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of mental health and wellbeing, exploring the distinction between mental health and mental illness. It examines a range of internal and external factors—such as lifestyle, relationships, and environment—that influence psychological wellness. Learners gain practical insight into daily strategies for self-care and resilience, forming a basis for personal development or entry-level support roles.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness

    SEG AWARDS
    vocational

    This subtopic introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of mental health and wellbeing, exploring the distinction between mental health and mental illness. It examines a range of internal and external factors—such as lifestyle, relationships, and environment—that influence psychological wellness. Learners gain practical insight into daily strategies for self-care and resilience, forming a basis for personal development or entry-level support roles.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
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    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    SEG Awards Level 1 Award in Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness

    Topic Overview

    The SEG Awards Level 1 Award in Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness introduces you to the fundamental concepts of mental health, mental illness, and wellbeing. You will explore what mental health means, how it affects daily life, and why looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health. This qualification covers common mental health conditions, the stigma surrounding them, and practical ways to maintain positive mental health. It is designed for anyone who wants to build a basic understanding of mental health, whether for personal development, supporting others, or as a stepping stone to further study in health and social care.

    In today's world, mental health awareness is a vital skill for all workplaces and communities. This award helps you recognise signs of poor mental health in yourself and others, understand how to start a conversation about mental health, and know where to find support. You will learn about the 'five ways to wellbeing' (Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give) and how these simple actions can boost your mood and resilience. The course also covers the impact of stress, anxiety, and depression, and introduces you to the mental health continuum model, which shows that mental health fluctuates over time.

    This qualification fits within the Employability & Work Skills suite because mental wellbeing directly affects your ability to work, study, and interact with others. Employers increasingly value staff who understand mental health, as it helps create supportive environments and reduces absenteeism. By completing this award, you demonstrate a commitment to personal development and a key skill for modern workplaces. It also lays the groundwork for further qualifications in counselling, health and social care, or human resources.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness; it is a state of wellbeing where an individual can cope with normal stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community.
    • →The mental health continuum ranges from healthy (good wellbeing) through to severe mental illness; everyone moves along this continuum throughout their life.
    • →Stigma and discrimination are major barriers to seeking help; understanding and challenging stereotypes is crucial for supporting mental health.
    • →The 'five ways to wellbeing' are evidence-based actions: Connect with others, Be Active, Take Notice of the present moment, Keep Learning new things, and Give to others.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1. Understand the meaning of mental health and wellbeing2. Know about the different factors that can affect mental health and wellbeing3. Know how to look after mental health and wellbeing

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for providing a clear, simple definition of mental health that includes emotional and psychological aspects, distinct from mental illness.
    • Expect the learner to identify at least two positive and two negative factors that can affect mental health, with brief explanations.
    • Look for a basic self-care plan or list of strategies with examples of how they promote wellbeing, such as exercise, talking to someone, or mindfulness.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always link answers to the learning outcomes: define, identify factors, and propose practical self-care strategies.
    • 💡Use real-life or scenario-based examples to strengthen portfolio evidence and show understanding beyond theory.
    • 💡For AO3 (know how to look after mental health), make it personal—describe what works for you or what you would recommend to a friend.
    • 💡When answering questions about the 'five ways to wellbeing', always give a specific example for each one. For instance, 'Take Notice' could be 'spending 5 minutes noticing the colours in a garden'. This shows you understand how to apply the concept.
    • 💡For questions about stigma, explain both the negative impact (e.g., people not seeking help) and how to reduce it (e.g., talking openly, using correct language). Examiners look for balanced answers.
    • 💡Use the mental health continuum in your answers to show you understand that mental health changes over time. For example, 'Someone might move from the healthy zone to the struggling zone after a stressful event, but with support they can move back.'

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing mental health solely with mental illness, overlooking that everyone has mental health that fluctuates.
    • Focusing only on negative factors and ignoring protective or positive influences like supportive relationships.
    • Suggesting unrealistic or generic ‘fixes’ without considering personal barriers (e.g., ‘just exercise more’ without acknowledging motivation challenges).
    • Misconception: Mental health problems are rare. Correction: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year in the UK; they are very common and affect people of all ages and backgrounds.
    • Misconception: People with mental illness are dangerous. Correction: The vast majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent; they are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.
    • Misconception: You can just 'snap out of it' if you try hard enough. Correction: Mental health conditions are real medical conditions that often require treatment, support, and time to manage, just like physical illnesses.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •No formal prerequisites are required for this Level 1 award, but a basic understanding of health and wellbeing from Key Stage 3 PSHE or similar is helpful.
    • •It is beneficial to have an open mind and a willingness to discuss sensitive topics respectfully.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1. Understand the meaning of mental health and wellbeing2. Know about the different factors that can affect mental health and wellbeing3. Know how to look after mental health and wellbeing

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