YMCA Awards Level 4 Certificate in Delivering Physical Activity for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions

The aim of the course is to increase understanding of the relationship between exercise and physical activity and clinical benefits for mental health, this qualification aims to provide advanced exercise instructors with the skills and knowledge to work with patients and mental health professionals in the design, delivery and evaluation of safe and effective physical activity programmes.

The Qualification is an important step towards developing the confidence of mental health professionals regarding the expertise and integrity of exercise professionals in the development of collaborative and holistic treatment programmes for mental health conditions that include exercise and physical activity.

Course Content

During the qualification candidates will learn the following:

•  Key mental health conditions

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Eating disorders
• Other psychotic disorders
• Substance related disorders



•  Relationships between mental health, society and lifestyle

•  Legislation and government policy relating to mental health

•  The roles of national organisations relating to mental health

•  Evaluation of the usefulness of a range of sources of information on mental health and its relationship to physical activity

•  Evaluation of the effectiveness of a range of mental health interventions

•  Roles and boundaries of the people involved in programming physical activity for individuals with mental health conditions

•  Collect and analyse information about individuals with mental health conditions in relation to programming physical activity

•  The benefits of physical activity for mental and physical health

•  Appraise individuals with mental health conditions prior to programming physical activity

•  Programme physical activity for individuals with mental health conditions

•  Prepare for the delivery of physical activity programmes for individuals with mental health conditions

•  Monitor physical activity programmes for individuals with mental health conditions

•  Adapt physical activity programmes for individuals with mental health conditions

•  Motivate and support individuals with mental health conditions

•  Evaluate physical activity programmes for clients with mental health conditions

Pre-requisite

• A Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification, OR, achievement of a Level 4 Specialist Exercise Instructor Qualifications prior to September 2011 plus achievement of a Level 3 fitness qualification
• 150 hours of relevant professional practice at level 3 in designing, delivering, monitoring, adapting and tailoring exercise programmes for individuals gained within the previous 2 years and at least 6 months' experience since qualification (this should be reflected in a CV and reference letter)