One of Douglas’s most high-profile companies is giving its staff mental health awareness training.

Circular Road-based Microgaming is working with The Lisa Lowe Centre.

The company’s ’employer pledge with time to change’ is a campaign that aims to end mental health discrimination.

The software developer says it wants to create a ’happier, healthier workplace’, from publicising mental health across the business to introducing fully trained mental health first aiders.

The Lisa Lowe Centre is an island-based charity and has been running the workshops to train managers on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, in addition to providing them with strategies to support their team members and colleagues.

Alongside the training, Microgaming and Derivco staff will have access to mental health sessions over the next few months.

The sessions will focus on mental health disorder awareness, common stressors and coping tools, with the aim to erase the stigma around mental health.

In recognition of the Lisa Lowe Centre’s contribution to the community, Microgaming PlayItForward has given it a £6,000 donation.

Gareth Nicholson of the Lisa Lowe Centre said: ’We are pleased to see local companies recognising that supporting the mental health of their employees is as important as the usual physical health support, as one supports the other.

’As a charity working to increase our remit in this area we are delighted to be working with Microgaming, who are also at the forefront in recognising the need to change.’

Jean-Luc Ferriere, chief commercial officer of Microgaming, said: ’We strive to maintain a culture where everyone feels comfortable to speak up about any problems they may have.

’With The Lisa Lowe Centre we can train our managers to better recognise the signs of potential mental health issues and be well equipped to help their team and colleagues.

’Most importantly, it helps strengthen our commitment to erasing the stigma by encouraging an open environment where people can talk about their mental health and know that they are always supported.’

Microgaming has signed a deal for its betting software, see page 49.