Vitality announces new mental health proposition to help support child mental health earlier
13 May 2026
Supporting child mental health earlier
Vitality has today announced a new children's mental health proposition, that will give children named as dependents on their parent’s 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 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.
"When a child struggles with their mental health, the whole family feels it. But early support can make a real difference — and quickly. It can change the trajectory of someone's life entirely. This is why joined-up mental health services, for every age and every level of need, matter so much. The sooner we reach people, the better the outcomes. For children, for parents, and for the adults those children will become."
Children continue to have access to clinical care as part of the wider health insurance offering, ensuring they receive the best care, at all stages of any issues or illness.
Notes to Editors:
*Research was conducted by Opinium among 2000 UK adults in April 2026
** Parents or legal guardians can join therapy sessions where appropriate, including for children under 12 and, for older children, with the child’s consent or where the child is deemed not to have sufficient competency