Legal & General (L&G) has added a digital mental health pathway provided by Spectrum.Life to its Spark app.
Available to entire workforces of L&G’s group protection clients, whether all individuals and their immediate families are insured or not, the pathway enhances the provider’s employee assistance programme (EAP) by catering for customers who prefer online access through a telephone-first model.
The service is for employees L&G are covering across group income protection, group life and group critical illness cover, and their eligible immediate family aged 16 and over in the UK, and 18 and over in Ireland where parental consent is required.
Confidential access
It offers confidential access to evidence-based mental health support; from everyday challenges to more complex concerns.
Accessible anytime via L&G’s Spark app, it integrates self-guided tools, professional counselling and preventative care within a single platform.
While employees and their immediate families can still call the 24/7 EAP helpline to speak directly with a qualified clinician, for those less comfortable with instigating their concerns in 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.
Increase in anxiety presentation
Stephen Costello, CEO at Spectrum.Life, said: “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,” Costello continued.
“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 employer’s preventative goals.”
Choice and personalisation
Vanessa Sallows, claims and clinical development director – group protection at L&G (pictured), added: “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,” Sallows concluded.
