BetterHelp & Lewis Capaldi Partnership To Address Anxiety: UK State of Mental Health

When a public figure like Lewis Capaldi speaks openly about anxiety, it helps destigmatize mental health care and encourages more people to seek help. Musician Lewis Capaldi has joined the ranks of celebrities who have spoken out about the importance of mental health in recent years. After cutting short a set at a music festival due to anxiety symptoms, Capaldi took a break from performing to address his mental health. Now, he's speaking out about anxiety, mental health in general, and the importance of seeking care through avenues like therapy. Here, we'll discuss what anxiety is and how it's treated, more about Capaldi's story, and how you can take advantage of the free therapy hours he donated to help fans look after their own mental health.

What is anxiety? Exploring racing thoughts and a worried mind

Anxiety is a feeling that most people experience from time to time. This feeling and its resulting physical symptoms (like a fast heartbeat and tense muscles) are built into the human experience as the fight-or-flight response, which can help us respond to threats. 

For some people, however, this sensation of fear, worry, and physical tension arises often—even when there's no immediate threat present. When a person experiences the sensation of anxiety frequently and finds it difficult to control their worry, they may be living with an anxiety disorder.

What is an anxiety disorder?

An anxiety disorder generally occurs when feelings of fear or worry are persistent, difficult to control, and negatively impact overall wellbeing and functioning in everyday life. A person with an anxiety disorder may realize that their fears or worries are not always rational or proportional to the situation, but they may still have trouble managing these feelings. 

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness today. Mind UK reports that around six in 100 adults in England alone have generalized anxiety disorder. Researchers believe that this type of disorder may be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, personality traits, and certain environmental elements. 

Types of anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders can take many different forms, each with its own specific symptoms. The thread that ties them all together is a persistent sense of worry or overwhelming fear that can be hard to control. 

Common types of anxiety disorders include the following:

• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety disorder, formerly called "social phobia"
• Specific phobias

It can also be important to note that other types of mental illnesses can present with anxiety as a core symptom without being classified as anxiety disorders themselves. Some examples of these include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Anxiety disorders often co-occur alongside other mental health conditions. For example, it’s estimated that up to half of people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also have an anxiety disorder. Depression is a common comorbidity as well.

Signs you might be living with anxiety

Many people don't realize they may be living with an anxiety disorder. For those who have experienced symptoms for all or most of their lives, they may not realize that what they're living with could represent a diagnosable disorder. Others may not realize that anxiety is treatable, and help is available. That's why raising awareness about anxiety symptoms and treatment options can be so important. Without treatment, anxiety can significantly interfere with daily functioning and relationships, and it may escalate or expand into other symptoms and disorders like depression. 

Mental Health UK lists several common symptoms that might indicate an anxiety disorder:

• Racing thoughts
• Irritability
• Frequent over-thinking
• Significant changes in sleep or eating patterns 
• Persistent lack of energy
• Unexplained stomach problems
• A sense of dread or panic

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of anxiety, it’s generally recommended that you reach out to a therapist or counselor for support.

How is anxiety treated? Cognitive behavioural therapy and more

Anxiety disorders are considered treatable conditions. With the right approach, it may be possible to effectively manage symptoms so that they no longer interfere with one's daily functioning and wellbeing. You're not alone in what you're experiencing, and support is available to effectively address your symptoms. 

The first-line treatment for anxiety is usually some form of talk therapy. This is when a mental health professional, like a therapist or a counselor, uses specific conversational strategies to help you learn more about where your symptoms come from and find positive ways to address them. 

There are many techniques a therapist may use to help a person address anxiety symptoms through talk therapy, but one of the most common is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This approach can help a client learn how to recognize and shift distorted thoughts that may be causing worry and distress. A therapist can also help a client learn and practice effective coping skills that are tailored to their unique needs. 

In addition to talk therapy, a doctor or psychiatrist may recommend medication to manage symptoms. Cultivating healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly, eating nutrient-rich foods, spending time around supportive friends or family members, and practicing journaling or meditation, may also help. Finding local support groups for anxiety can be another form of care to explore.

Speaking out about anxiety: Lewis Capaldi’s experience

Lewis Capaldi is a Scottish musician who has risen to fame in recent years. He’s been twice nominated for a Grammy and is a multiplatinum artist known worldwide. 

After experiencing severe anxiety symptoms during a performance at the 2023 Glastonbury Music Festival, Capaldi realized he needed to step back from his music career to care for his mental health. Capaldi felt anxious to such a high degree during that show that he didn’t perform again for 734 days. Instead, he focused on working with a therapist to address his diagnosed Tourette’s syndrome, as well as anxiety and panic attacks.

After his two-year hiatus, Capaldi returned to the stage and performed at Glastonbury again in the summer of 2025. He gave a full performance to an audience of supportive fans who welcomed him back with open arms. He demonstrated that it’s possible to successfully manage anxiety symptoms with professional support, and he has spoken out publicly about his mental health journey.

Lewis Capaldi’s partnership with BetterHelp to promote mental health and wellbeing

Lewis Capaldi points to support from his therapist over the past two years as a key component of his recovery. “I’ve felt the best I’ve felt in a long time through therapy,” he shares in an interview. “I would say that [therapy] has been a cornerstone of why I feel the way I feel now.” 

As a result of his experiences, Capaldi decided to partner with BetterHelp to donate 734,000 hours of free therapy to fans and anyone else who is looking for this kind of support. It amounts to 1,000 hours of free therapy for others for each day of his mental health break. 

How to take advantage of free therapy to support the health of your mind

Whether or not you listen to Lewis Capaldi’s music, you can take advantage of his donation. All it takes to get started is signing up via Capaldi’s link. You can then receive one month of free therapy through BetterHelp, which will involve filling out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a qualified therapist whom you can meet with virtually. 

Note that this promotion is only available to those who have never used BetterHelp before. While you will be asked to enter your credit card information, you will not be charged unless you fail to cancel before your free month runs out. If you do want to continue with BetterHelp after your free month, subscription plans are available.

What to expect in online cognitive behavioural therapy

Online therapy is a way to meet with a mental health professional remotely. When you attend online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a provider according to your needs and preferences, as outlined in your onboarding questionnaire. You can meet with your therapist via audio call, video call, or live chat from anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also switch therapists at any time, for any reason, and at no additional cost until you find the right match.

Besides the fact that you'll be speaking with your therapist virtually rather than in person, online therapy tends to take a similar format to traditional in-person care. The therapist may ask questions to learn why you're seeking therapy and what your goals are for treatment. They may then use a modality like cognitive behavioural therapy or another approach to support you in addressing challenges and cultivating healthy coping skills to help you feel calmer over time. 

Can online therapy help with mental health and well-being? What the research says

As online therapy has become more popular, researchers have conducted many studies to examine its efficacy. There is now a wealth of research to suggest that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person therapy, including for treating symptoms of anxiety.

Getting started with BetterHelp

If you’re interested in online therapy, getting started with BetterHelp is easy. To see if you qualify for free therapy through Lewis Capaldi’s promotion, follow this link. Then, fill out the questionnaire as honestly as possible in order to be matched with a qualified therapist who is likely to be a good fit. 

Once matched, you can schedule your first virtual session in the format that works best for you. You can also take advantage of other resources through BetterHelp, like worksheets, journaling prompts, and the ability to message your therapist anytime and receive a response as soon as they’re available.