Two Manx businesses have been shortlisted for recognition at this year’s InsideOut Awards for Mental Health.

The awards celebrate individuals and companies who have made workplaces mentally healthier.

Ramsey-based mental health training company Manx Minds, founded by Ali Vondy, has been shortlisted in the ‘Mental Health First Aid’ category and Douglas-based Tower Insurance is shortlisted in the ‘Third Party Influence’ category which recognises ‘the employer who has best influenced beyond its own walls’.

Mrs Vondy said: ‘This is exactly what Tower have done through their sponsorship of the Mental Health Aware Schools Initiative delivered by Manx Minds.’

Both businesses have been nominated for their work and support of this island-wide initiative, providing mental health training to sixth formers.

Tower Insurance financed the training in full. Manx Minds delivered the courses.

These official Mental Health First Aid Isle of Man courses each last for four hours and train delegates to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness, recognise common mental health issues, know how to look after their own wellbeing, and improve their confidence when supporting someone in distress, or who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

Emmet McQuillan, managing director of Tower Insurance, said: ‘We didn’t donate this money to get awards, we did it because it was simply the right thing to do. Everyone at Tower is a little shocked but of course thrilled to have been shortlisted for this distinguished award.’

Mrs Vondy said: ‘Previously no accredited training had ever been offered to pupils on the Isle of Man about how to deal with mental health issues and how to help their friends who may disclose mental health issues to them.

‘Although secondary schools and University College Isle of Man work hard in this area to provide a wide variety of help to students in the form of pastoral care, assemblies and seminars, this course gives students an opportunity to complete a globally recognised, official MHFA course, completely free, thanks to the generosity of Tower Insurance.

‘This collaboration really highlights the way the corporate sector can use its resources to help and develop others far beyond its own walls and Tower are to be applauded for their actions in driving this initiative forward.’

Hannah May, the UCM student health and wellbeing coordinator, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for our students for explore the important topics around mental health in more detail.

‘It’s incredibly important that students build resilience and know how to look after their own mental health, as well as being able to appropriately respond to others. Learning these important skills when they are young will be a huge benefit to them in the future. We would like to thank both Manx Minds and Tower Insurance for inviting us to collaborate in this exciting island-wide initiative.’

The InsideOut Awards will be held in, London on Thursday, March 24.

Nominees alongside Manx Minds for the MHFA Award are The Communication Workers’ Union, FujiFilm, Portakabin, RSK Group and the University of Greenwich.

The other companies shortlisted with Tower Insurance in the Third Party Influence category are Bank of England (last year’s winners), International Well Building Institute and Racing Welfare.

Mrs Vondy said: ‘There is some stiff opposition for both Tower and Manx Minds in our award categories, but in the end, for me, it truly doesn’t matter who wins, as every single one of these individuals and companies sincerely want to make a positive difference to the mental health of the nation and that is definitely worth celebrating.’