UK: CBT-based mobile game helps children self-manage anxiety through quests

Tackling childhood anxiety can feel more like an adventure than a chore. That's the magic behind Lumi Nova, a cutting-edge mobile game now available across Herefordshire and Worcestershire in the UK.

Designed for kids aged 7 to 12, this app marries cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with playful quests — helping young minds face their fears and build resilience — for free and without a prescription.

How does it work?

Lumi Nova operates like a virtual guide for anxious kids. Through a series of personalized quests, the app gradually exposes children to the very things they fear, arming them with tools to conquer those worries. It's a smart blend of CBT and exposure therapy, seamlessly woven into a child-friendly interface. Along the way, the app tracks outcomes and ensures safety through built-in safeguarding features.

Authorized care professionals can securely access this data via the BFB VitaMind Hub, adding a layer of professional oversight to its self-help design.

Why does it matter?

Here's the thing: the demand for children's mental health support is sky-high. A report by the Children's Commissioner in 2024 revealed that over 250,000 young people in England are stuck waiting for mental health services. Lumi Nova aims to cut through that bottleneck, offering an immediate, non-stigmatizing solution.

As Sonja Upton from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust aptly puts it, "This innovative intervention gives children quick access to an online platform that helps them manage and reduce worries in order to enjoy life to the fullest."

And the results back her up - 60% of kids who used Lumi Nova didn't need further support, according to recent BFB Labs data.

The context

The pandemic cast a long shadow on mental health, especially among children. Anxiety and emotional struggles surged, creating an urgent need for innovative interventions. That's where Lumi Nova shines. Co-created by social enterprise BFB Labs alongside families, NHS clinicians, and mental health experts, it's not just a tech solution; it's a lifeline.

Manjul Rathee, BFB Labs' CEO, sums it up beautifully: "By reimagining child-centred, inclusive mental health care for a new generation, Lumi Nova helps young minds overcome challenges and build lifelong resilience."

This app is about changing the game entirely, empowering kids to take control of their mental health early on. Available free and without referral, Lumi Nova's reach is expanding beyond Herefordshire and Worcestershire, now touching lives in Lincolnshire too.

With every quest completed, another child steps closer to conquering their fears and embracing the joy of being a kid.