A groundbreaking app designed to help children manage anxiety through gaming and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been launched in Lincolnshire.
Lumi Nova, a digital therapeutic app, uses personalised gaming quests to gradually expose children to their fears in a safe, controlled environment.
Tailored for children aged 7 to 12, the app helps users build resilience and overcome anxiety through interactive and engaging methods.
The app will be available to download for free starting 8 January and is being piloted for a year in Lincolnshire.
Lumi Nova was developed by digital therapy social enterprise BFB Labs in collaboration with children, parents, NHS clinicians, and mental health experts.
Key partners behind the launch include Lincolnshire County Council, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The initiative aims to provide accessible mental health resources to children and families, particularly in rural areas.
The app features personalised quests such as drawing scenarios and watching immersive videos that simulate and help children confront their fears. These activities are designed to be completed at a child’s own pace, offering flexibility and privacy.
Manjul Rathee, the app’s creator, emphasised its potential reach, ” It is something children can use in their own space at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home. In an area like Lincolnshire which is 70% rural, we are able to reach audiences who might otherwise struggle to reach services.”
Councillor Patricia Bradwell OBE of Lincolnshire County Council underscored the initiative’s importance, ” The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Lincolnshire is a key priority for us.
“We want to provide broader, flexible, and easily accessible services.”
