Posted: 31 October 2023
As we continue to re-imagine the future of fitness, we are excited to announce our latest work with MH1 Global – the go-to place for mental health support and expertise for fitness professionals.
The UK currently faces significant public health challenges including: physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour, obesity, substance misuse, and mental health issues. These challenges can negatively affect individuals’ wellbeing and increase pressure on public services like the NHS.
However, the healthcare system does not need to tackle all these challenges alone. Around 15-20 million people in over 170 occupations contribute to public health through their work, even if they do not realise it. Examples include social workers, counsellors, and teachers.
YMCA Awards was founded on the principle of wellness – a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that incorporates the mind, body and spirit. We have partnered with MH1 Global to create a new qualification aimed at supporting this ‘wider public health workforce’: the YMCA Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Wellness Through Lifestyle Behaviour Change. Together, our goal is to empower the wider public health workforce to help individuals make physical activity and lifestyle choices that improve health and wellbeing.
Earlier this year, MH1 Global launched their Mental Health Questionnaire (MHQ) – the game changing tool that provides the evidence to verify early, non-clinical interventions can improve wellbeing. As part of this qualification, learners will gain an understanding of the 11 lifestyle factors assessed by the MHQ:
physical activity
emotional wellbeing
sleep
social interaction
finances
work/life balance
employment
confidence
self-image
nutrition
stress and anxiety.
Mapped to the CIMSPA Health Navigator professional standard, our qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills to:
Initiate conversations around a variety of lifestyle factors and their influence on wellbeing.
Elicit information using motivational interview style questioning.
Create lifestyle interventions tailored to the individual and their unique circumstances.
Evaluate the impact of lifestyle interventions to support wellness.
Signpost to other local services and professionals where appropriate.
This qualification will utilise YMCA Awards’ next generation qualification principles to empower learners to build strong links between knowledge and skills and prepare them for the real world. To find out more about the YMCA Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Wellness through lifestyle behaviour change, please click here to register your interest.