Vitality has today announced a new children’s mental health proposition, that will give children named as dependents on their parents’ plan access to a full range of prevention and early intervention support, as part of the wider services available as part of their health insurance.
The announcement comes as demand for child and adolescent mental health support continues to rise. New research from Vitality shows that over a quarter of children (26%) have missed school because of mental health concerns. Three in four parents (73%) regularly think about their child’s mental health, and over a third (37%) have actively sought support. However, only one in five parents (21%) know exactly where to turn.
Vitality has expanded its mental health support to include a dedicated pathway for children and young people aged 5 to 18. The services offer age-appropriate digital tools designed to support everyday emotional wellbeing, while identifying when more specialist support may be needed. They have been designed to give families the confidence to act early, before issues escalate.
Furthermore, the pathway has been designed with the recognition and understanding that supporting a child’s mental health starts with supporting parents. Clear Parent Guides and resources help parents understand what their child may be experiencing, the options available and how best to support them at home.
Key parts of the offering include:
Headspace for teens: Free access to Headspace for teens, helping young people manage everyday challenges such as exam stress, sleep, confidence and navigating change. Age‑appropriate mindfulness and meditation courses and tools like Ebb, Headspace’s AI companion for reflection and journalling, ensures teens are supported to build positive daily mental wellbeing habits.
Wysa for teens: A clinically safe, evidence‑based AI coach built by therapists and used within the NHS for ages 13 to 18. Wysa offers teenagers a safe, anonymous and judgement‑free space to explore their feelings, build emotional resilience and access guided self‑care tools, while recognising when additional support may be needed and signposting to the right next step.
Sandbox from Mindler: A dedicated remote mental health platform designed specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 18. Sandbox combines interactive, guided self‑care resources with access to remote talking therapies, tailoring support to a child or young person’s age and level of need.
Talking therapy: Delivered in person or online, children can access talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) without need for a GP referral
Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, Chief Executive Officer of VitalityHealth, said: “Mental health has moved steadily up the agenda in recent years. Providing the right care, support and pathways has been a real focus for us.
