“Adventure Awaits: A CBT App Empowering Kids to Conquer Anxiety Through Fun Challenges!”

A mobile game based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intended to assist children in managing anxiety is currently accessible throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 

Lumi Nova has been created as a primary treatment choice for children ages seven to 12 facing mild to moderate anxiety, prior to considering interventions such as therapy or while awaiting additional assistance.

Co-designed by the social enterprise BFB Labs in collaboration with families, NHS medical professionals, educators, and mental wellness specialists, the NICE-recommended application guides children through personalized quests that gradually confront their fears and provide them with strategies to overcome them.

Sonja Upton, associate director for children, youth, and families, as well as a specialist in primary care at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, remarked: “Enhancing the emotional wellbeing of children and youth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire is a significant priority for us and our partners within the local authority, educational institutions, community, and voluntary organizations. 

“We are thrilled to be able to provide this groundbreaking intervention to children in our region. We understand that many children will gain from immediate access to an online platform that aids them in managing and alleviating worries and anxieties, allowing them to fully enjoy their lives.”

A study by the Children’s Commissioner, released in March 2024, revealed that over a quarter of a million young individuals were waiting for mental health assistance in England. Lumi Nova aims to provide children with immediate access to age-appropriate therapeutic resources that empower them to self-manage their anxieties and cultivate long-term mental resilience.

The application features integrated outcome measurement along with built-in safeguarding and accessibility elements. Authorized care providers can access data from the app securely through the BFB VitaMind Hub.

Upton added: “Lumi Nova assists us in meeting the increasing demand for emotional and mental health support that has surged since COVID-19. It provides inclusive, timely assistance for young individuals at an early age living in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, available at no cost, on-demand, anytime, anywhere.

“By introducing Lumi Nova as one method for young people to better comprehend their feelings and practice ways to manage their anxieties, we can provide an early intervention that may help avert the escalation of issues.”

According to statistics from BFB Labs as of September 2024, 60% of children utilizing Lumi Nova as a primary intervention did not necessitate further support.

Additionally, a pilot research published in 2021 noted a notable enhancement in child and parent-reported outcome measures following the use of the application.

Manjul Rathee, founder and chief executive of BFB Labs, stated:  “We are pleased to collaborate with NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire to present Lumi Nova to children and families throughout the two counties. This enables us to deliver age-appropriate, non-stigmatizing assistance for everyday worries and anxieties, without families needing to wait. 

“Our solution can also ease some of the pressure on the NHS. By reimagining child-centered, inclusive mental health care for a new generation, Lumi Nova aids young minds in overcoming challenges and cultivating lifelong resilience.”

Lumi Nova is accessible to families throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire at no cost without a referral through Lumi Nova’s digital self-referral hub. It is also provided in Lincolnshire.