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Mental health is an important part of our overall health, yet knowing where to turn for support is not always straightforward. From anxiety and depression to more complex mental health conditions, millions of people experience difficulties that can affect their personal lives, relationships and working environments.
Understanding the scale of mental health challenges, knowing when to seek help and being aware of the support available are important steps towards improving mental wellbeing. For employers, it also raises an important question: are employees able to access the support they need, including when their existing healthcare benefits do not cover every treatment?
Understanding the state of mental health in the UK
Mental health difficulties can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. They may develop gradually or arise following significant life events, financial concerns, work-related pressures or changes in personal circumstances. According to the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023/24, approximately one in five adults in England experienced a common mental health condition. Among adults aged 16 to 64, the proportion identified with a common mental health condition increased from 17.6% in 2007 to 22.6% in 2023/24. These conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The demand for emotional support is also reflected in the work of charities. Samaritans’ 2024/25 Impact Report reported more than 3.3 million calls for help across the UK and Ireland during 2024, including telephone calls, emails and online chats. While these figures measure different aspects of mental health, they highlight the importance of accessible support. Mental health difficulties are not always visible. Someone may continue working, socialising and meeting their responsibilities while struggling privately. Others may find that their symptoms begin to affect their concentration, sleep, relationships or ability to carry out everyday tasks. Recognising when support may be needed, and understanding the options available, can help people take steps towards getting appropriate help.
Where can people access mental health support?
There is no single route to mental health support. The most appropriate option will depend on an individual’s circumstances, the difficulties they are experiencing and the type of help they need.
Options may include:
- Speaking to a GP: A GP can discuss symptoms, assess support needs and explain appropriate treatment or referral options.
- NHS mental health services: In England, eligible individuals can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for support with common difficulties such as anxiety and depression. Services and referral arrangements vary across the UK, Although may have long waiting lists.
- Private mental health treatment: Depending on individual needs and eligibility, private psychiatrists, psychologists and other qualified professionals may provide consultations or psychological therapies.
- Workplace wellbeing benefits: Some employers provide access to employee assistance programmes, counselling services, online mental health support or other wellbeing resources.
- Charitable support services: Organisations such as Samaritans offer emotional support to people who need someone to talk to.
Understanding these options is important because access, waiting times, eligibility and costs can vary. For employees who have private medical insurance, reviewing their policy is another useful step in understanding which forms of treatment may be available.
How does private medical insurance cover mental health?
Private medical insurance is often associated with private consultations, diagnostic tests and hospital treatment. However, some policies also provide benefits for eligible mental health treatment. Depending on the insurer and level of cover, these benefits may include psychiatric consultations, psychological therapies and other eligible mental health treatment. The extent of cover varies, so it is important to understand the specific benefits included within a policy.
Some policies have limits on the number of consultations or therapy sessions covered, while others may require referrals or approval before treatment begins. Exclusions and underwriting terms can also affect whether a particular condition or treatment is covered. For businesses providing PMI to employees, understanding these differences is particularly important. Having a policy in place does not necessarily mean every mental health service or treatment will be covered. HR teams, finance directors and business owners should therefore consider not only which insurance benefits they provide, but also how employees can access those benefits when they need them.
What if an employee has a pre-existing mental health condition?
One consideration when arranging private medical insurance is how the insurer treats pre-existing medical conditions.
Depending on the underwriting terms, a condition that existed before cover began may be excluded from treatment under the policy. This can apply to certain mental health conditions, although the outcome depends on the policy, the underwriting arrangements and the individual’s circumstances. For example, someone who has previously received treatment for anxiety or depression may find that related treatment is excluded under their policy. This does not automatically mean all mental health treatment will be excluded, nor does every insurance policy treat pre-existing conditions in the same way.
This is where additional wellbeing benefits can complement an existing healthcare arrangement. By considering support beyond the insurance policy itself, businesses can give employees more options to explore when looking after their mental wellbeing.
Supporting mental health beyond private medical insurance: BetterHelp through Cransford plus
At Cransford, we recognise that supporting employee wellbeing involves more than arranging private medical insurance alone. That is why we have partnered with BetterHelp to offer a discount on its services through Cransford Plus.
BetterHelp provides online access to mental health support, offering another option for individuals considering their wellbeing needs. Through the Cransford Plus benefit, eligible employees can access the applicable discount subject to the relevant benefit and service terms. Importantly, this is a separate arrangement from private medical insurance. Access to the Cransford Plus discount is not dependent on whether an employee’s PMI policy covers mental health treatment.
For businesses, this creates an additional option to consider when reviewing their employee wellbeing benefits. It may be particularly relevant where an existing insurance policy has limitations or does not include the specific mental health benefits an employee is looking for.
How Cransford can help your business
At Cransford, we specialise in private medical insurance and work with businesses to help them understand their healthcare options. Our role goes beyond obtaining quotations. We help businesses review their existing arrangements, compare options across a wide insurer panel and understand differences in cover, benefits and policy terms. We also recognise that insurance alone may not address every employee wellbeing need. Through Cransford Plus, our clients can access additional benefits, including the BetterHelp discount, providing another option to consider alongside their existing PMI arrangements.
Whether your business already provides private medical insurance or is exploring it for the first time, reviewing your healthcare benefits can help you understand what is covered, identify potential gaps and consider the options available to your workforce.
Want to review your business healthcare benefits?
Book a free, no-obligation appointment with a Cransford specialist to discuss your existing policy, explore your options or find out more about private medical insurance for your business.
