Imagine you’re a few months into a new job. The workday is over, but you’re still replaying a conversation with your boss and wondering whether you’re meeting expectations. You’re enjoying your new position but right now you’re feeling a lot of pressure too.

Even changes in life we’re excited about can feel overwhelming. Talking with a licensed counselor can offer perspective and help you work through those pressures. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek support.

Nearly half (48%) of the people surveyed by the American Psychiatric Association said they felt more anxious this year than last year. ¹ From current events and the economy to the daily pressures of relationships, work or school, finances and social interactions, life can feel like a lot to navigate. And even though feeling mentally or emotionally overburdened is common, only about half of American adults who experience a mental health issue in any given year typically receive professional support or treatment. ²

A lot of us have developed our own go-to coping methods for when life feels like a lot, such as spending time with friends or doing something physically active. Sometimes that works pretty well, but there might be times when it doesn’t.

Being proactive in seeking support can help reduce your stress level and improve your sense of personal wellbeing. But what if you’re not sure where to start, who to talk to or if you can even afford it? Concerns like these are exactly why it helps to be part of a holistic wellness program like Elevate Direct from First Commerce Credit Union.

Elevate Direct Complete and Elevate Direct Complete Plus both offer no cost, unlimited virtual consults with a licensed counselor, marriage and family counselor, clinical social worker, and psychologists. Mental health specialists are available for virtual visits typically within 48 hours for conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression, substance abuse, grief, and a wide variety of disorders. If you need more specialized care, you can meet with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for a $200 initial consult fee (45 minute appointment) with 15 minute follow-up consultations for medication management available at $125 per follow-up under both the Complete and Complete Plus benefits packages.

Mental wellness support can be beneficial when you’re trying to juggle everything life throws at you, particularly during times of transition. For young adults experiencing a lot of firsts (first full time job, first time living on your own, first taste of financial independence, first serious relationship), it can be really helpful to learn healthy coping strategies and have somebody who can serve as an unbiased sounding board. Life doesn’t stop throwing you curveballs as you get older either. Having the option to speak to somebody quickly, easily and privately can make a big difference when you’re navigating life challenges like becoming a parent, changing jobs, relocating, changing relationships, taking care of aging parents, or coping with illness or loss.

If you’re a parent, you may also have concerns about your child’s mental wellbeing. Elevate Direct makes it easier to get support for your teen (ages 14 and up) if they’re struggling with difficult relationships or having a hard time handling the pressures of adolescence. Knowing that you can quickly connect your child to a counselor when they’re struggling can bring you greater peace of mind.

Mental health is an important aspect of your overall wellbeing, and stress about how to find and afford support shouldn’t prevent you or your family from getting the help you need or want. That’s the power of adding Elevate Direct from First Commerce to your life: faster, more convenient and more affordable access to licensed mental health professionals so you can live happier and healthier.

Elevate Direct is a wellness program that makes it easier to access a wide variety of types of care quickly at affordable rates. Elevate Direct is not health insurance, nor is it a substitute or replacement for health insurance. It’s a wellness enhancement option that can be used in conjunction with the insurance you currently have or even during those time when you may be in between health insurance plans.

¹American Psychiatric Association. (2026, May 12). Annual Mental Health Poll Finds Americans Anxious About Current Events, Personal Finances and Emerging Technology. Psychiatry.org

²U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025) Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, HHS Publication No. PEP25-07-007. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Samhsa.gov, nami.org.