Complete Care Training
Unit 9: Awareness of Mental Health and Dementia
Mental Health & WellbeingLevel 2

Unit 9: Awareness of Mental Health and Dementia

This unit introduces learners to the knowledge and skills required to support individuals living with mental health conditions and dementia in adult social care settings. It focuses on understanding how mental health and cognitive conditions affect individuals’ experiences, behaviours, and care needs, and how these needs change over time. Learners will explore early identification of mental health needs and dementia, recognising signs of deterioration, and understanding how care and support must adapt following diagnosis or decline. The unit also emphasises person-centred approaches, positive attitudes, and active participation to promote independence, wellbeing, and dignity. In addition, the unit examines barriers individuals may face when accessing healthcare, the importance of reasonable adjustments, and how to report concerns when needs are unmet. Learners will also gain an understanding of the legal and ethical frameworks that protect rights, inclusion, and citizenship. By the end of the unit, learners will be able to provide compassionate, informed, and responsive support that promotes equality, safety, and quality of life for individuals living with mental health conditions or dementia.

4 hours
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 11/2026 English
Part of Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate · Course 9 of 15

Available only in Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate

This course isn't sold on its own. You get it, with every other course in the pathway, when you enrol on the pathway.

£1400.00, was £1500.0015 courses
See the pathway

What you'll learn

Explain what is meant by the terms: mental health and mental well-being.
List common types of mental health conditions.
Outline what is meant by the term dementia.
Describe how living with a mental health condition or dementia can impact an individual’s: everyday life and the lives of their families and carers, health and well-being and care and support needs.

Course content

21 modules

What mental health and mental wellbeing mean, how they differ, and why they matter for every person you support.
Common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis, and how they can affect daily life.
What dementia is, the main types, and how it affects memory, thinking, communication and behaviour over time.
How a mental health condition or dementia can affect a person's everyday life, relationships and the lives of those around them.
Written assessment on mental health, wellbeing and dementia, common conditions and their effect on daily life and care needs.
Early signs that a person's mental health may be deteriorating, such as withdrawal, sleep changes or increased distress.
Early signs and symptoms of dementia, from memory lapses and confusion to changes in mood, language and judgement.
Why spotting mental health needs or dementia early leads to timely support, better planning and better outcomes.
How care and support needs change after a mental health condition or dementia is identified, and why plans must be updated.
How to engage with people and families and signpost them to services and support after a diagnosis.
Written assessment on early signs of mental health needs and dementia, early intervention and accessing support and services.
How respect, empathy, patience and hope from staff improve the lives of people living with mental health conditions or dementia.
Why each person living with a mental health condition or dementia must be seen as a unique individual, not a diagnosis.
How person-centred approaches and active participation help people living with mental health conditions or dementia stay well and independent.
Barriers people living with mental health conditions or dementia face when accessing healthcare, from communication to stigma.
Written assessment on person-centred care and positive attitudes when supporting people living with mental health conditions or dementia.
Reasonable adjustments in health and care services that help people living with mental health conditions or dementia, and why to plan them early.
How to recognise and report unmet health and care needs for people living with mental health conditions or dementia.
Written assessment on reasonable adjustments that help people with dementia access services, and reporting unmet health and care needs.
How the Equality Act, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and human rights law protect inclusion and equal life chances.
Written assessment on how legislation and guidance protect the rights and inclusion of people living with mental health conditions or dementia.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

This certificate does not expire.

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.