What Is the Mental Health First Aid Course?
The Mental Health First Aid Course in Portsmouth offers a hands-on two-day training designed to enhance your understanding, confidence, and practical skills in supporting mental health and wellbeing. During the course, you’ll engage in dynamic sessions to identify early signs of mental distress, initiate compassionate conversations, manage crises effectively, and direct individuals to appropriate professional resources.
Guided by experienced, accredited trainers, the course combines real-life scenarios and interactive activities to make the learning process engaging and relevant. By the end, you’ll know how to set boundaries, listen empathetically, and provide appropriate signposting to mental health services.
Upon completion, participants will earn an accredited certificate that is widely recognised, highlighting their role in promoting mental health awareness and fostering a supportive workplace environment.
✅ By encouraging active listening and creating a safe space for conversation, Mental Health First Aiders play a key role in nurturing more resilient and inclusive communities.
Who Should Take the Course in Portsmouth?
The Mental Health First Aid course in Portsmouth is ideal for individuals and organisations looking to foster resilience and promote wellbeing. This training is especially beneficial for:
- HR professionals and People Support teams
- Managers and team leaders
- Leads in Wellbeing and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Frontline staff in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and customer service
- Non-profit organisations and charities
- Anyone interested in supporting the mental well-being of their colleagues, friends, or family
What Will You Learn?
During this comprehensive two-day Mental Health First Aid training, you will gain practical skills and build the confidence needed to assist others in times of mental distress. Key areas of focus include:
Understanding and Identifying Mental Health Issues
- Recognising early indicators of stress, anxiety, depression, and more
- Examining the impact of mental health on individuals, teams, and work environments
- Understanding how cultural and social factors influence mental health
Effective Conversations and Setting Boundaries
- Mastering the art of active listening and maintaining non-judgmental communication
- Learning how to approach delicate conversations with sensitivity and care
- Balancing empathy with clear boundaries to ensure respectful support
Handling Crisis Situations
- Providing immediate and safe support during crises like panic attacks or thoughts of suicide
- Using a clear action plan to manage urgent situations effectively
- Recognising when and how to seek professional help when necessary
Signposting and Maintaining Well-being
- Guiding individuals towards professional help and community resources
- Understanding key principles of confidentiality and safeguarding
- Developing strategies for your own mental health resilience and self-care
How Is the Course Delivered?
The Mental Health First Aid course in Portsmouth spans two full days (approximately 6–7 hours each). You can choose from the following delivery options:
- In-person classroom sessions at our central Portsmouth venue, featuring group activities and direct interaction with trainers.
- Live online sessions through a virtual classroom, covering the same material and offering the same certification as the in-person format.
Both delivery methods are highly interactive, led by accredited trainers to ensure you develop the necessary skills, confidence, and receive your completion certificate.
Entry Requirements
There are no specific prerequisites for this course. It is open to anyone aged 16 or over who is interested in supporting others. You should be comfortable engaging in group discussions and role-playing activities, and have a good level of English to follow the training content.
What to Expect
We aim to create a supportive and safe learning environment. The training will cover sensitive topics such as suicide and self-harm. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you’re welcome to take a break or step away. If you're booking the course for someone else, please ensure they’re ready to engage in these discussions.
If you have any concerns about whether this course is suitable for you, our team is happy to have a confidential conversation.
How Is the Course Assessed?
The Mental Health First Aid course uses a practical, continuous assessment method. You will participate in group activities, role-playing, and discussions to demonstrate your understanding. There are no formal written exams; the focus is on active participation, building confidence, and applying your learning. Short quizzes may be used throughout the course to assess your knowledge and reinforce essential concepts.
Will I Receive a Recognised Certificate?
Upon successfully completing the course, participants will be awarded an accredited Mental Health First Aid certificate, recognised by employers and organisations across the UK.
This certificate remains valid for three years. After that period, we highly recommend refresher training to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. Holding this certification shows a firm commitment to promoting workplace wellbeing and combating the stigma associated with mental health challenges.
🎯 Boundaries, Safeguarding & After-Care
This course equips you with the skills to listen attentively, provide reassurance, and guide others — not diagnose or offer therapy. You’ll learn how to establish safe boundaries, know when to escalate concerns to a supervisor or professional service, and manage sensitive information with care. We also offer follow-up resources and signposting tools, ensuring you know where to access further support for yourself and others after the course.
On-Site Mental Health First Aid in Portsmouth (For Teams)
On-site Mental Health First Aid training in Portsmouth offers organisations the opportunity to train their teams collectively in a practical, cost-efficient way.
- ✓Provide team-wide training sessions
- ✓Customise content and scenarios to match your specific workplace environment
- ✓ Minimise disruption by selecting convenient dates
- ✓Enjoy cost savings when compared to individual enrolments
- ✓Foster a unified approach to wellbeing across your staff
Portsmouth Location and Areas We Welcome Learners From
The Mental Health First Aid courses in Portsmouth are held at a centrally located venue, easily accessible by public transport and offering convenient parking. We welcome learners from across the city and surrounding areas, including Southsea, Fratton, Hilsea, and Eastney. Many participants also travel from nearby towns such as Havant, Waterlooville, and Gosport, ensuring the course is accessible to a broad community.
Other First Aid Courses in Portsmouth
Alongside our Mental Health First Aid course, we offer a comprehensive range of accredited First Aid Courses in Portsmouth. Popular courses include Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), First Aid at Work (FAW), and Paediatric First Aid. You can explore all available dates and venues on our Portsmouth training hub.
Why Choose Us?
Booking your Mental Health First Aid course with Hurak provides you with confidence, convenience, and excellent value. Here's why we are the preferred choice:
- ✓Clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- ✓Over 100,000 learners trained across the UK
- ✓Accredited certificates recognised nationwide
- ✓Central venues, plus on-site training options
- ✓Flexible payment options with Klarna instalments
- ✓Ongoing dedicated support before, during, and after your course
