Over half of Brits have had to miss a significant life event, such as a wedding or holiday, due to their mental health
Nearly a third (29%) of Brits feel abandoned by mental health services in the UK, as they are set to pay £2.3BN in 2026 on mental health apps
Over half (53%) of the UK are missing out on major life events due to poor mental health - including holidays, weddings and job opportunities
In response, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is launching the CALMzone app, a science-backed, expert-informed app that puts trusted mental health tools in people’s pockets that’s totally free
London, 27th January 2026—A mental health crisis driven by failures in public services and stigma is pushing millions of Brits to seek expensive and potentially unregulated alternative solutions. New research from suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), reveals a nation turning to costly apps for help, with the UK population set to spend up to £2.3BN in 2026 on mental health apps. 1
But that's not the only cost of the nation's declining mental health, as data reveals that over half (53%) of the UK are missing out on major life events - including over one in eight missing out on a holiday and one in 10 even having to skip a wedding. What’s more, people are becoming more isolated, with nearly a quarter (24%) of Brits turning down a catch-up with a mate because of their mental health, and a fifth (20%) are unable to leave the house. Anxiety and worry are the leading causes of issues, affecting 42% of the nation, followed by poor sleep and ongoing fatigue (36%), stress (36%) and low self-esteem (26%).
The situation has become critical, as 20M Brits - nearly a third of the population - feel abandoned by mental health services in the UK. 2 Those who struggle with their mental health are finding it tougher to seek professional help, and the rising stigma around discussing mental health means over a quarter (26%) of Brits are struggling to see how they can ever find a light at the end of the tunnel.
Instead, those unable to access support are turning to alternatives. 25% of Brits have used AI to give advice for their mental health, including 42% of Gen Zs and Millennials, and almost 1 in 4 (23%) are relying on wellbeing apps, despite the potential for these services to have no direct scientific support. 3 There is a clear trust gap, as almost half (48%) of Brits say they would trust a mental health app more if it were run by a charity or an NHS body.
In response to this national crisis and the high cost of wellbeing, CALM is launching the CALMzone app today. The CALMzone app is a science-backed and expert-informed app that puts trusted mental health tools in people’s pockets that’s totally free. The app offers real, in-the-moment help using evidence-based tools that support individuals with low mood, stress, anxiety, and other issues, providing both short-term relief and long-term support for habit building.
Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM, said: “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. 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.”
Gifted to the charity by Mind Ease, the app has benefited from years of development and investment which will now be completely free to access. Its development was supported by Spark Wave, a research organisation and product foundry applying social science, strategic thinking and iterative experimentation to socially beneficial products.
Mind Ease CEO Meghan Davis said: “Mind Ease was built to give people practical support they can use in real moments of anxiety, stress and low mood. Over the past few years, we’ve focused on creating something that feels genuinely useful, trustworthy and grounded in how people actually experience distress.
Gifting the app to CALM means that work can now reach far more people, completely free of charge, and sit alongside the vital support they already provide. I’m proud of what’s been built and hopeful about the impact it can have as part of CALM’s work.”
Download the CALMzone app now—put CALMzone in your pocket and help remove cost as a barrier to wellbeing.
CALMzone was made possible thanks to funding from ICAP Charity Day, Roger Raymond Charitable Trust, Flat Iron Fund, Fairy Water Trust and Graham Shapiro Foundation.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Spark Wave CEO Spencer Greenberg commented: “We’ve spent the past 8 years developing what we believe is a best-in-class mental health app, which includes exercises based on techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as other evidence-based approaches, including mindfulness meditation.
The world of digital mental wellness products can be very crowded and overwhelming, and not all mental health apps are created equal. It was our intention from the outset to develop something that places high-level, expertly crafted techniques into the hands of as many people as possible. CALM has the opportunity to realise that vision, and it’s a real privilege to be able to place this app into their more than capable hands. We can see the impact they’re having in suicide prevention, and I'm confident that this service will continue to thrive under their stewardship.”
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 Nationally Representative UK Respondents, aged 18+. The data was collected between 19.12.2025 - 22.12.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
1 Data from Censuswide shows 41.5% of UK Respondents estimate they will spend on average £6.72 of per month on mental health apps in 2026, multiplied by 12 months equals £80.64 for the year. Extrapolation based on a UK population estimate of 69,487,000 per Office for National Statistics, released November 2025.
2 Data from Censuswide shows 29% of UK Respondents feel abandoned by mental health services in the UK. Extrapolation based on a UK population estimate of 69,487,000 per Office for National Statistics, released November 2025.
3 State of the Field of Mental Health Apps, Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, Volume 25, Issue 4, November 2018, Pages 531-537
About Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM):
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention charity fighting to reduce the devastating impact of suicide in the UK. They run a life-saving helpline for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. It’s free, anonymous and open from 5 pm to midnight every day.
Their website has loads of tools and resources packed with practical, non-clinical advice to make talking and managing mental health easier.
CALM also run vital campaigns to increase awareness, smash stereotypes, and change the culture around mental health and suicide.
Contact
Press - Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM@hopeandglorypr.com
press@thecalmzone.net
