UK Retailer Superdrug Launches Mental Health Service

LONDON, United Kingdom — Health and beauty retailer Superdrug is set to become the first high street chain in the UK to launch a doctor-led mental health consultation app, as studies point to a drop in mental wellness across the nation.

The app, which forms part of the retailer’s online ‘Doctor Service’, will offer customers doctor-led video consultations, priced at £70, where individuals can openly and confidentially discuss their mental health. The goal is to give people a diagnosis and recommendations of support that match their needs.

Within the app, Superdrug will also signpost to two emotional support charities, Shout and Samaritans, to provide free support for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Speaking about the launch, Michael Henry, Healthcare Director at Superdrug explained: “As a trusted high street retailer, we have a responsibility to make mental health care both more widely talked about and to offer services that make it more widely available.”

Adding: “When you’re feeling overwhelmed or need support with your mental health, it can be challenging to know where to turn or who to talk to. We also know that accessing services isn’t always that easy. It can be difficult getting a doctor’s appointment or talking about your mental health in a GP surgery. Finding a private therapist can also be a daunting task when you’re not even sure what’s wrong.

“These are some of the reasons why we’re launching a mental health care app. It aims to create more awareness, especially among people that might not have thought about therapy before.”

According to a study conducted on over 3,300 of its customers, Superdrug says the launch comes at a time when the mental health of two-thirds of people (66%) in the UK continues to worsen. In addition, 38% of people feel more anxious than ever, 27% feel more stressed, 19% feel more depressed and 21% are finding it more difficult to sleep.

Echoing the findings, a separate study carried out by the Office For National Statistics asserts that more than two-thirds of adults in the UK (69%) report feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life, with the most common issues affecting wellbeing revolving around worries about the future (63%), feeling stressed or anxious (56%) and feeling bored (49%).

And like Superdrug, other retailers are also launching services that aim to address these concerns.

In the US, where statistics point to a similar landscape, retailer Walmart continues to invest in its health clinics, which offer services including primary care, dental exams, X-rays, hearing services and mental health counselling. Elsewhere, CVS has expanded access to its nationwide mental health programming initiative, as it doubles down on services available through its HealthHUBs.

The retailer and pharmacy recently revealed plans to convert 1,500 existing stores into HealthHUBs over the next two years, as well as allocating 20% of store space to health services and products.

With mental wellness now a $121 billion market, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), and the growing focus on mental wellness facilitating a cultural mega-shift, it appears the race is on to leverage the growing opportunities within this burgeoning sector.

However, as we explore in our 2021 Consumer Wellness Trends Report, the challenge will be for businesses to continue to quickly adapt and evolve offerings to support consumers searching for new tools and treatment options that better fit their upended lifestyles and real-time needs. As well as breaking down barriers to entry such as price, accessibility and cultural relevancy.