L&G's group protection has announced the addition of a new clinically governed digital mental health journey to its wellbeing app Spark. 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 aims to enhance 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 is designed to provide fast, confidential access to evidence-based mental health support, from everyday challenges to more complex concerns. The journey is accessible anytime via L&G’s Spark app, and integrates self-guided tools, professional counselling and preventative care within the 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 after Mental Health UK’s 'Burnout report 2026' found 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 2024 Uswitch survey found that a quarter (23%) of individuals aged 18 to 34 say they never answer the phone, preferring social media (48%) and voice messages (37%).
"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," Stephen Costello, CEO, Spectrum.Life, said.
He added: "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 employers’ preventative goals."
Vanessa Sallows, claims & clinical development director – group protection, L&G, said: "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."
