Devon Children Combat Anxiety with Innovative Mental Health Game

A mobile video game designed to tackle anxiety is making significant strides in supporting children in Devon. The game, titled Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage, integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques with interactive storytelling and gaming mechanics. It aims to help children, particularly those with special educational needs, confront and manage their fears through engaging and personalized quests.

Commissioned in 2023 by the Devon Partnership NHS Trust as part of the Mental Health Support Teams initiative, Lumi Nova is a collaboration among Children and Family Health Devon and the social impact organization BFB Labs. To date, the app has assisted over 1,100 children aged between seven and twelve in the region. Early results are promising, with data indicating that more than 90% of users reported either improvement in their symptoms or no worsening of their anxiety.

Targeting Special Educational Needs

The benefits appear to be particularly pronounced among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). An impressive 97% of users initially showing clinical need demonstrated improvement or stability after using the app. Notably, 27% of Lumi Nova users in Devon had SEND, compared to 18% of pupils nationally in England.

The app has also proven effective in addressing anxiety among boys, with 45% identifying as male. Of this group, a remarkable 93% showed positive outcomes following their engagement with the game.

Emily, a mother from Devon, shared her experience with Lumi Nova and how it has positively impacted her son, Luke (a pseudonym), who has autism and a severe phobia of vomiting. “Luke has had challenges since he was born,” she said. “It made him panic and stopped him from sleeping each night. When I heard about Lumi Nova via a local charity, I leapt at the chance to use it straightaway. It’s been so helpful in so many ways and had an immediate impact. It made him feel empowered; his phobia seemed less frightening… he felt like a little hero.”

Innovative Approach to Mental Health

The app has garnered praise from health professionals. Holly Billington, interim Deputy Director for Children and Family Health Devon, expressed her enthusiasm: “We are incredibly impressed with Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage. This innovative app offers a practical and engaging way for children and young people to learn how to manage their fears and anxieties in a supportive environment.”

Manjul Rathee, founder and chief executive of BFB Labs, emphasized the urgent need for accessible mental health support for children. “With one in four school-age children struggling and waiting lists at an all-time high, accessible, tailored, and engaging child mental health support has never been more important,” he stated. “Interventions like Lumi Nova, which provide inclusive, stigma-free, and easily accessible mental health support for free, are vital to tackling these issues and ensuring every child has the tools to build resilience and manage their anxiety.”

The app is freely available to families in Devon without the need for a prescription or referral, enabling easy access through a digital self-sign-up hub. It supports both Android and iOS devices, including older, low-cost models.

On a national scale, Lumi Nova has reached over 13,000 children through various NHS services, local authorities, schools, and community providers. The app is currently operational in approximately 20 regions across the UK, including Wakefield, Herefordshire, and Lincolnshire, further expanding its reach and impact in promoting mental health among young people.