Closing the
Wellbeing
Communications
Gap

Driving employee engagement through clear, compelling communications that turn investment into action.

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employees actually use available wellbeing programs — despite nearly 85% of large employers offering themKaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey; RAND Workplace Wellbeing Programs Study (U.S. Dept. of Labor). Participation ranges from 20–40% without strong incentives.
$8.9T
in global costs attributed to employee disengagement annuallyGallup, State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report. Low engagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion — equivalent to 9% of global GDP.
The Problem

Lack of Use Is the Greatest
Barrier to Effective Benefits

The cost of wellbeing support is a fraction of the losses caused by disengagement. The real challenge isn’t funding — it’s activation.

~50%McKinsey & Company survey of employers: about half of employers report that lack of awareness is the primary contributor to low EAP utilization — even though most believe their communications are effective. (McKinsey, 2021)
of employers cite lack of employee awareness as the primary reason their EAP and mental health programs go underused
53%NAMI 2025 Workplace Mental Health Poll. Despite the growing availability of employer-sponsored mental health benefits, fewer than half of employees know how to access them.
of employees know how to access mental health care through their employer — a basic awareness gap
68%Guardian Benefits & Workplace Study (via Employee Benefit News, 2024). While 68% of employers believe their benefits communication is effective, fewer than 40% of employees rate it as such.
of employers believe their benefits communication is effective — while fewer than 40% of employees agree
What Wellbeing Covers

Wellbeing Is More Than Mental Health

Effective wellbeing programs address the whole person — across five interconnected dimensions. Each requires its own communications strategy to drive awareness, reduce stigma, and activate engagement.

Physical Health
  • Medical, dental & pharmacy
  • Fitness & weight management
  • Chronic condition support
  • Nutrition & sleep coaching
  • Smoking cessation programs
Mental Health
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Behavioral health coverage
  • Stress & mindfulness programs
  • Coaching & meditation apps
  • Integrated mental health tools
Social & Community
  • DEI initiatives & ERGs
  • Employee affinity groups
  • Volunteering programs
  • Mentorship & peer networks
  • Social connection programs
Career & Growth
  • Learning & skill development
  • Performance coaching
  • Leadership development
  • Recognition programs
  • Internal mobility support
Work/Life Balance
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Leave & accommodation policies
  • Emergency childcare support
  • Workload management
  • Leadership modeling & KPI alignment
The Solution

A Clear Narrative About
Wellbeing Drives Engagement

For more than 15 years, High Lantern Group has worked with world-leading organizations and non-profits to translate complex wellbeing and culture strategies into clear, empathetic communications your employees understand and act on.

01
From Dense Materials to Informed Engagement
We take delicate topics like mental health and financial education and distill them into approachable resources that employees actually access and use.
02
Expertise in Every Industry
Decades of experience with dynamic, high-complexity industries including finance, retail, energy, hospitality, travel, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare.
03
Messaging for Every Misconception
We specialize in establishing, clarifying, and sharing messaging that directly addresses barriers, negative perceptions, and safety and privacy concerns.
The Approach

Our Playbook for Wellbeing Communications

We work with clients to identify your opportunities for better communication that drives engagement.

Developing the Right Message
We craft authentic, inclusive, and actionable messages while mapping the full spectrum of communication, ensuring your messaging resonates and drives meaningful impact.
Deploying the Right Messenger
We leverage diverse voices and a multi-pronged approach that accounts for seniority, roles, and employee differences, creating a surround-sound of information that resonates across your organization.
Leveraging the Right Channels
Expand the access points to information by evaluating when and where employees are reached — finding better in-roads for hard-to-access populations that may also be high-risk.
The Process

From Concept to Deployment
in 90 Days

Your goal is to create communications for your wellbeing strategy that are authentic, inclusive, and actionable. We craft tailored messages and touchpoints that resonate with diverse audiences across your organization — ensuring every employee feels seen, supported, and engaged.

Month 1
Interviews & Assessment
  • Conduct stakeholder interviews (HR, leadership, ERGs) to uncover opportunities, perceived barriers, and internal champions
  • Review existing programs and communications channels where employees seek information
  • Share strategic brief with message priorities, tone, gaps, and opportunities — including an initial set of recommended communications
Month 2
Framing & Plan Development
  • Establish a curated messaging framework with templates for different employee statuses: salaried, hourly, remote, field, union, front-line
  • Coordinate spokesperson training for ambassadors or small-group training to equip messengers with ready-to-use language and tools
  • Share recommendations for communications channels, including those that target hard-to-engage groups
Month 3
Deploying Messages Across the Organization
  • Develop messaging toolkit with talking points and scripts that reduce confusion for managers, so they feel confident discussing wellbeing support
  • Draft story or benefits overview
  • Deliver final report with quick wins, metrics, and communications recommendations
  • Debrief on next steps
The Results

Driving Real Impact Through Communications

When employees understand and trust wellbeing resources, everything changes: awareness grows, utilization rises, and confidence in workplace support strengthens.

From
Low Awareness
Without broad awareness, support and services can face skepticism or confusion, stalling interest before it begins.
To
Wellbeing Matters
Employees are aware of a variety of support options and have a baseline knowledge of their purpose and how to access them.
From
Low Utilization
Employees may face barriers, may not see how offerings apply to them, or may not understand how to access benefits — so they go underused.
To
Informed Engagement
Employees not only know about services — they use them. Communications clarify how programs help real-life situations, normalize usage, and build trust.
From
Low Employee Satisfaction
Employees report confusion, stigma, or frustration related to benefits. They may feel unsupported or perceive their workplace as indifferent to their wellbeing.
To
High Confidence and Connection
Employees feel their wellbeing is taken seriously. They report positive experiences, improved access, and a sense that their employer genuinely supports them.
Case Studies

Wellbeing Communications
in Practice

Six examples of how HLG has helped leading organizations close the gap between wellbeing investment and employee engagement. Tap any card to see the work.

Webinar Series

Insights in Action

Hear directly from our experts on how leading organizations are bridging the gap between wellbeing investment and real employee impact. More conversations coming soon.

Featured Webinar
Turning Mental Health Investment into Workforce Impact
A deep dive into why mental health programs stall at awareness — and how the right communication strategy unlocks real engagement, utilization, and employee trust.
Now available
Watch on YouTube
Self-Assessment

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A 10-Question Self-Assessment for HR & People Leaders

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Better Wellbeing Communications =Better Business

Employees who feel supported thrive, and so do the companies they work for. Let's work together to create clear, consistent communications that will build trust, reduce stress, and foster purpose — leading to stronger engagement and retention.

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