Brits to spend £2.3bn on mental health apps in 2026
Survey from CALM finds people turning to tech for support - but concern remains about the quality of advice
Last updated 27th Jan 2026
From weddings to holidays, job opportunities and birthdays; more than half of people in the UK say they are missing out on major life moments and experiences due to struggles with their mental health.
A new survey from suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) found:
- Many are becoming increasingly isolated as nearly a quarter (24%) of Brits are turning down a catch-up with a friend because of their mental health.
- 20% feel unable to leave the house,
Anxiety and worry are the leading causes of mental health issues, affecting 42%, followed by poor sleep and ongoing fatigue (36%), stress (36%) and low self-esteem (26%).
How safe are online mental health apps?
The findings also highlight how those who struggle with their mental health are finding it tougher to seek professional help.
The nation is predicted to spend up to £2.3 billion in 2026 on mental health apps in 2026.
LISTEN: CEO Simon Gunning explains how the app works on the Mental Health Monday Podcast
25% of Brits are seeking support from AI Assistants and almost 1 in 4 (23%) are relying on wellbeing apps, despite some of these services having no direct scientific support.
Half of Brits (48%) say they would trust a mental health app more if it were run by a charity or an NHS body.
New app offering free mental health support
In response CALM is launching a free app, which they say is science-backed and expert-informed app that puts trusted mental health tools in people’s pockets without requiring an additional monthly fee.
The app offers help and support for people with low mood, stress, anxiety, and other issues, which the charity hopes will provide both short-term relief and long-term support for habit building.
Simon Gunning, CEO at CALM, says: “We’re in the midst of a really concerning wave of increasing stigma when it comes to conversations around mental health, and worryingly, many leaders are continuing to jump on that bandwagon.
"Our data shows that this is eroding the brilliant progress we’ve made in the field of mental health over the past decade, and is preventing people from accessing the support they need.
Absolutely all of us should be proactive when it comes to maintaining positive mental health, as we’re expected to be with any other aspect of our physical health. It’s more important than ever as the world is feeling a bit like a bin fire right now.
"People need somewhere to turn"
"All of that has an impact on our heads, and it’s clear that people need somewhere to turn when things start to bubble over and more immediate, targeted relief is needed.
Our research shows that life’s simple pleasures are being eroded because we’re tired, we’re stressed, and we’re overwhelmed, and public services aren’t set up to help people at the scale that’s needed.
"The CALMzone app has a critical role to play. It’s not a replacement for your GP or professional mental health services, but it’s a simple thing that we can incorporate to help get us on the path to living life and enjoying it.”
Find out more about CALM
Get advice from the NHS about seeing mental health support
To find mental health services and organisations near you, visit the Hub of Hope.