Across the UK, too many people are still unable to access the mental health support they need when they need it. From long waiting lists to high thresholds for care, people are often left without support.
The latest report on Qwell, Kooth’s digital mental health platform for adults, highlights how digital platforms can improve access to timely care, ensuring adults get the right support at the right time.
Easing service pressures through accessibility
The report reveals the significant role Qwell plays in easing demand on overstretched NHS services.
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68% of users said they would have gone to their GP if Qwell wasn’t available
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17% would have turned to A&E
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86% of stakeholders agreed that Qwell helps meet local mental health service demand
In an already pressurised system, digital platforms can divert pressures from services. People can get support quickly and safely, while freeing up physical resources for those with more complex needs.
Inclusive, accessible mental health support for everyone
Qwell is designed to meet people where they are. Adults can self-refer at any time and choose from multiple pathways - from self-directed resources and peer communities to one-to-one professional chats. The data shows this flexibility, with 72% of users accessing Qwell outside of 9–5 hours - often when in-person support isn’t available.
The report highlights how Qwell can support groups that often face barriers to in-person services. 55% of men and 60% of parents would turn to their GP if Qwell wasn’t available, while 1 in 5 neurodivergent adults indicated they might go to A&E.
Digital platforms like Qwell reduce barriers to support, ensuring more people receive timely, flexible, and appropriate support.
Helping people wait well
With 43% of Qwell users currently on NHS waiting lists, the platform provides a crucial bridge for adults awaiting care.
One user said “[Qwell is] all I have available to me while I’m on waitlist after waitlist.”
This value was echoed by 90% of healthcare professionals, who advocated for offering Qwell to adults on NHS waiting lists to provide rapid access to help.
Qwell bridges this treatment gap, allowing people to self-refer and receive early help to manage their wellbeing and prevent issues from escalating.
Supporting diverse mental health needs
Any adult in a commissioned area can self-refer and access support for a wide range of challenges. Qwell is a stigma-free, flexible, digital support, addressing issues from anxiety and stress (30%) to more acute challenges such as suicidal ideation (11%). Users can also set personal goals from emotional regulation to seeking support within or outside Qwell with 70% of those engaging with goals achieving meaningful progress.
Qwell also supports work-related stressors: 59% of respondents had missed work due to mental health, and Qwell helped with 2 in 5 work-related challenges, including job demands, returning to work, and work-life balance.
By offering care that is free of diagnostic criteria and waiting lists, Qwell can support people who might otherwise go without help.
The power of digital
Qwell shows how digital solutions can expand access, tackle inequalities, and support prevention.
By offering free, no-barrier, 24/7 mental health support, Qwell helps close the gap for adults who might otherwise fall through the cracks, while easing pressure on traditional services.
The report demonstrates that as demand for timely and accessible mental healthcare rises, digital platforms like Qwell can complement existing services, making support more responsive, inclusive and effective.