If you or someone you know needs urgent help, support is available through NHS services by calling 111 or visiting Mental health urgent help and crisis support
Mental health and the NHS
Mental health has become one of the most talked-about health issues in the UK, and for good reason.
According to the NHS, one in four adults and one in ten children experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. That means most of us will either experience it ourselves or know someone close to us who does.
As the NHS approaches its 80th birthday in 2028, the conversation around mental health and access to treatment has become increasingly important. High profile campaigns, including those led by celebrities, along with tragic stories in the media, have helped bring mental health into the spotlight. But that has not always been the case.
Mental health and physical health have taken very different paths since the NHS was founded in 1948. Only in recent years have they begun to be treated with more equal importance within the wider health and social care system.
There is still a long way to go to achieve true parity between mental and physical health services and to reduce the stigma that can stop people from seeking help when they need it most.
Why demand is increasing
Demand for mental health support in the UK has been rising steadily for several years.
Latest data shows that the NHS Talking Therapies programme alone receives around 145,000 new referrals a month, showing just how many people are now seeking help for anxiety, depression and related conditions.
While waiting times vary, around 90% of people in the programme are seen within six weeks, but that still leaves many waiting up to 18 weeks. Outside of this programme, access times can differ significantly depending on where you live and the type of support needed.
More people are coming forward for help than ever before, but services are not always able to scale quickly enough to match that demand. The concern is that even a few weeks’ delay in being seen can feel too long for some people struggling with their mental health.
How the NHS treats mental health conditions
The NHS offers a range of treatment options for mental health conditions, depending on your symptoms, diagnosis and level of need.
In many cases, treatment is not just one approach but a combination of support designed to help you manage your thoughts, feelings and overall wellbeing.
The main NHS treatments for mental health conditions include:
Talking therapies: Also known as psychological therapies, these involve speaking with a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to help you better understand and manage them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A structured type of talking therapy that focuses on how your thoughts and behaviours are connected. It can help you develop practical ways to cope with challenges and change unhelpful patterns.
Counselling: A more open-ended form of talking therapy. A trained counsellor listens and supports you in working through problems and finding your own way forward.
Antidepressants: Medication that can be prescribed to help treat conditions such as depression and anxiety. These can be effective for some people, although they may come with side effects and are usually reviewed regularly by a GP.
Urgent mental health support: For people in crisis or needing immediate help, the NHS provides urgent support services. These include access through NHS 111 and specialist mental health teams.
NHS support through talking therapies
The NHS provides a range of talking therapies to help with mental health conditions. They can be delivered in a few different ways, such as working through a self-help workbook or online programme with support from a therapist. Or, you might be offered one-to-one sessions in person, by phone or via video call, or group sessions with other people experiencing similar issues.
These services may support people experiencing anxiety and depression due to:
Persistent low mood.
Ongoing anxiety or excessive worry.
Panic attacks or phobias.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
Social anxiety or fear of social situations.
Accessing support is relatively straightforward. You can refer yourself online or ask your GP to make a referral.
Can private health insurance help with mental health?
Private health insurance can sometimes help with mental health support, and most UK insurers now include some level of provision within their core cover or as part of wider wellbeing services. However, what is included can vary significantly depending on the provider and the plan you choose.
Some insurers include basic mental health support as standard, while others offer it through optional add-ons. It is important to note that existing mental health conditions are usually classed as pre-existing and may not be covered for treatment, or your cover may come with certain requirements that you have to meet.
However, many insurers still provide ongoing wellbeing services to all customers, and these often include some form of mental health support. These can include helplines, digital tools and therapy resources that are available regardless of medical history.
What do UK insurers offer for mental health support?
Across the market, mental health support in private medical insurance can include a wide range of services depending on the insurer and the type of cover chosen. These typically include:
Talking therapy sessions: CBT, counselling and structured psychological support, often with session limits.
24/7 support services: Mental health helplines or access to professionals for immediate guidance.
Digital and online therapy tools: App-based programmes, coping skills courses and guided wellbeing content.
Psychiatric assessment and treatment: Consultant-led diagnosis and treatment for more complex conditions.
Inpatient and day-patient care: Hospital-based treatment for acute mental health conditions where required.
Self-referral access: Direct access to therapy in some policies without needing a GP referral.
Wellbeing platforms: Tools, articles, meditation apps and mental health resources available to all members.
How UK insurers approach mental health cover
Most insurers now include some level of support either within core policies, as an optional extra, or through wider wellbeing services.
Here’s a summary of the services you can get with some of the leading UK insurers, either included in their core cover or as part of an optional upgrade:
Comparing UK health insurance providers’ mental health cover | ||||
Provider | Mental health cover as standard | Mental health helpline | Counselling and other talking therapies | Digital tools for online support |
WPA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bupa | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Vitality | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
AXA | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Aviva | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Freedom | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
National Friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The Exeter | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The exact benefits, limits and access routes can vary quite a bit, so it is worth comparing a few examples to find the right cover for you. Here’s a more in-depth look at the kind of mental health support each of the above insurers offers.
WPA
Core cover: 24/7 helpline, single-session telephone counselling and access to online digital therapy and coping skills courses. If recommended after clinical assessment, up to six structured counselling sessions.
Optional extra: Adds cover for additional outpatient treatment and therapy up to £1,000 or £2,500. Higher levels can include hospital treatment up to 28 days or longer structured therapy up to 20 sessions (over 16s only).
Wellbeing services: Early intervention support for more complex conditions, plus structured counselling via referral.
Bupa
Core cover: Mental health care covers over 20 different mental health conditions. Includes outpatient treatment from a consultant or mental health and wellbeing therapist, covered in full or up to a chosen limit. May also include inpatient mental health treatment, depending on your policy.
Wellbeing services: Parents and caregivers can access the Bupa Family Mental HealthLine to speak with a qualified mental health nurse for advice and support, even if their child is not covered by the policy.
Vitality
Core cover: Up to eight talking therapy sessions, including CBT or counselling, with no GP referral required.
Optional cover: Extended mental health support with additional therapy sessions plus inpatient and day-patient care if needed.
Wellbeing services: Access to up to eight therapy sessions each year, with self-referral or GP referral options, plus a 12-month Headspace subscription with guided programmes, sleep content and relaxation tools.
AXA
Optional cover: Access to private mental health treatment, including talking therapies with a GP referral, hospital appointments and inpatient care if required. No yearly limits on psychiatric treatment fees, plus a 24/7 mental health support line.
Hotel stay: Contributes towards hotel costs for a close friend or family member staying nearby while you or a child on the policy receives eligible private treatment – up to £120 per night and £600 per membership year.
Aviva
Core cover: Up to £2,000 of cover for out-patient mental health treatment following a referral from your GP.
Optional add-on: Mental health upgrade covering up to 28 days of inpatient or day-patient treatment for acute conditions.
Wellbeing services: 24-hour stress counselling helpline and general mental health guidance.
Freedom Health Insurance
Optional add-on: Covers fees charged for outpatient consultations with a psychiatric specialist up to £2,000, plus hospital fees for inpatient and day-patient treatment for up to 45 days.
National Friendly
Core cover: One psychiatric assessment per policy year and up to ten sessions with a counsellor or psychotherapist.
Additional support: 24/7 helpline and secure online wellbeing hub with tips, articles and videos.
The Exeter
Optional add-on: Mental health cover including inpatient or day-patient treatment for up to 28 days, plus outpatient consultations with psychologists and CBT therapists.
Wellbeing services: HealthWise app with video access to trained therapists for support with anxiety, depression and emotional wellbeing.
We’ve done our best to ensure this information is accurate and up to date at the time of writing. However, insurers can change their terms, pricing and cover at any time. This page is for general information only and is not a substitute for full policy documentation, which you should always review to help you confirm that the cover meets your individual needs.
Other sources of support
For many people, NHS services remain the first point of contact, but there are several support options available, including:
Your GP can provide access to counselling and support services.
Call the 111 NHS service, free and open 24/7.
You can refer yourself online for NHS talking therapies support with anxiety and depression, or ask your GP to make a referral.
Samaritans on 116 123 for confidential emotional support.
The Mind website provides practical tools and coping strategies for managing mental health in difficult moments. Or call their helpline on 0300 123 3393 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm).
For parents concerned about a child’s mental health, the YoungMinds Parents Helpline offers dedicated support and guidance. You can call 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.00pm) for free, confidential advice
Childline on 0800 1111 for anyone under 19.