L&G‘s group protection and wellbeing app Spark has been enhanced, with the addition of a new clinically governed Digital Mental Health journey. This is available to entire workforces of L&G’s Group Protection clients, whether all individuals are insured or not, plus their immediate families.
The digital pathway enhances the provider’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), improving access to expert care for people who prefer online access over a telephone-first model.
Provided in partnership with Spectrum.Life, the new Digital Mental Health journey provides fast, confidential access to evidence-based mental health support; from everyday challenges to more complex concerns.
Accessible anytime via L&G’s Spark app, the Digital Mental Health journey integrates self-guided tools, professional counselling and preventative care within a single platform.
Employees and their immediate families can still call the 24/7 EAP helpline to speak directly with a qualified clinician, which remains the quickest route for urgent support. For those less comfortable with instigating their concerns over a phone call, the app enables users to complete a short questionnaire to assess their needs, book an initial consultation with an accredited counsellor at their convenience for mental health support, and discuss next steps.
Today’s announcement comes against the backdrop of research which finds that one in five (20%) UK employees took time off work last year due to poor mental health caused by stress, rising to two in five (39%) among young adults (aged 18-24).
At the same time, a preference for online over phone calls among the younger generation might be acting as a barrier to accessing support via traditional phone-first EAPs. A quarter (23%) of individuals aged 18 to 34 say they never answer the phone, preferring social media (48%) and voice messages (37%).
Stephen Costello, CEO, Spectrum.Life: “Our analysis of L&G’s client-facing EAP usage reveals a 25% increase in anxiety presentation in 2025, in comparison to 2024. This aligns with national reports of rising stress, burnout, and anxiety among employees. Immediate access to mental health support, via a choice of pathways to suit individual needs and preferences is crucial. What’s more, it’s highly scalable across hybrid and remote workforces, ensuring inclusion and engagement; essential for employer’s preventative goals.”
Vanessa Sallows, Claims & Clinical Development Director – Group Protection, L&G: “Choice and personalisation are key to prevention and early intervention. And, in turn, prevention and early intervention are vital to better outcomes for people and business. Our digital-first experience gives individuals an additional doorway to support, removing any perceived barriers, so that employees and their immediate families get the help they need, when they need it.”
