- Bupa to open 70 mental health centres across the UK in response to increasing demand for workplace mental health support
- One in four adults in the UK will experience some kind of mental health concern each year
- Since 2020, Bupa UK Insurance has seen a 20% year-on-year rise in claims for mental health services
- 20 mental health centres – called Mindplace – will open across the UK in 2025 with a further 50 to open by the end of 2027
Bupa is today announcing the launch of 70 mental health centres across the UK, with the first 20 set to open in 2025.
The mental health centres, called Mindplace, respond to rising demand for access to mental health services in the UK. Research reveals that one in four adults experience some form of mental health concern each year1, which rises to one third of UK employees. A quarter of UK workers reported a deterioration in their mental wellbeing over the past year, while a third (33%) of those affected did not seek any form of assistance2. This is calculated to have cost UK companies £51 billion each year3 due to the impact of employees’ mental ill health.
This rising demand is reflected in claims trends from Bupa customers. Since 2020, there has been a 20% annual increase in people seeking access to mental health support, whilst a 2024 analysis of 58,000 Bupa Health Assessments revealed that 44% of people were at risk of poor mental health.
Initially accessible to Bupa’s four million UK insurance customers, Mindplace centres will offer access to face-to-face talking therapies including counselling, psychology, psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Mindplace centres will become available to self-pay customers shortly after.
Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India and UK said: “As the leading provider of healthcare services to businesses across the UK, from FTSE100 organisations to SMEs, we know that keeping workforces healthy and in work is a primary concern for employers.
“Since 2020, demand for mental health services has grown exponentially for the workforce and their wider family unit, particularly young people. There is an increasing need for mental health support across the UK and fast access to services has never been more important.
“Mindplace centres will help people get fast access to face-to-face care. They reflect our commitment to prevention, identifying urgent needs amongst our customers where early intervention can lead to better health outcomes. With no shareholders, this reinvestment of our profits enables us to develop solutions that support and mitigate pressure on healthcare systems over the long term.”
The first Mindplace centres will open in Guildford, Reading and Bristol; localities identified with the highest demand for dedicated support. By the end of 2025, 17 more will open. A further 50 Mindplace centres will open through 2026 and 2027 to meet the rising demand for mental health support across the country.
There will be 200 Mindplace centres across Bupa’s global locations by the end of 2027.
1 Mental health facts and statistics
2 10 million employees faced mental health issues in 2024
3 Poor mental health costs UK employers £51 billion a year for employees
Notes to editors
About Bupa Global, India and UK
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. Health insurance accounts for a large part of our business with Bupa UK Insurance, the UK’s leading health insurer, providing health and dental cover to around 4 million people. Bupa Global is the premium health insurance arm of Bupa, serving 400,000 customers around the world. Niva Bupa is a leading provider of health insurance and retail health insurance in India, with 19.6 million customers. Bupa Dental Care is the leading provider of dentistry in the UK, providing dental services in around 400 centres across the UK and Ireland. Bupa Care Services has around 7000 residents in over 116 care homes, and 10 Richmond care villages. Bupa Health Services comprises 79 health clinics and the Cromwell Hospital in London which provides care for insured, self-pay and international patients.
