*This has been updated with more specificity about the current state of Adam's insurance coverage and his medical leave type.*

*The fundraising amount has also been updated to include the cost of Adam’s COBRA health insurance premiums while in treatment: $750 per month for four months.*

Friends,

As many of you know, our dear friend Adam has been in a mental health treatment program since June 18th.

This journey for Adam started in the spring of 2021, when he was first hospitalized. Since then, I’ve watched him try different medications, go to therapy, and keep regular appointments with his doctor, even when it caused him financial strain. (The fact that, despite the way Adam has made addressing his mental health a priority, it still took four years' worth of doctor visits and assorted meds to finally get an accurate diagnosis is a medical system tangent for another day.)

In short: We’ve seen Adam continue to try. And when trying on his own became unmanageable, we’ve seen him choose not to hide that. For any of us who’ve lost someone to depression and/or to another mental health disorder, it’s all we can hope for when someone we love is struggling — that they’ll SAY they are, and seek professional help.

In order for Adam to seek that help today, it’s meant taking an unpaid leave of absence from his job. He received his last paycheck at the end of June and was told he did not qualify for short-term disability due to his employer changing insurance plans during his medical leave.

Adam was not aware a plan change was coming, so this news came as a surprise. The new insurance plan isn't required to honor or continue the short-term disability claim. Additionally, because Adam is on an ADA leave and not an FMLA leave due to the size of his employer, he has been put on COBRA for the duration of his leave — meaning, his employer is not contributing to his insurance premiums.

Adam has still had more privileges than many. Although his insurance premiums are now 100% out of pocket, with no employer contribution, his new insurance plan does cover much (though not all) of the cost of his current outpatient treatment. And, through family, he was able to find alternate housing starting Sept. 1, giving him a break on rent/utilities.

However, Adam is responsible for paying a larger % of the inpatient portion of his treatment — in the neighborhood of $4K, though he could wind up billed for more — while, at the same time, his leave type means no more paychecks for the time being. I think we can all agree that having to forgo income for over two months (and counting) to get needed medical help is hardly an enviable position to be in.

Because a fundraising goal # was needed in order to create this GoFundMe, I’ve made it the amount Adam has spent on July and August rent while in treatment and making $0. (There are plenty of bills/life costs etc not included within this amount, including the money Adam will owe for his inpatient treatment.)

The purpose here is to give people an avenue to show Adam support in the way that’s needed most, if you are able and in whatever amount makes sense. As his treatment continues, it isn’t clear yet when he’ll next be receiving a paycheck. He’s fortunate to no longer have rent/utilities to pay starting Sept. 1, but other bills continue.

Whatever support you’re able to show Adam will, I am certain, help remove some stress for him as he continues to get on top of his diagnosis, feel better/sillier again, and turn a new page. Thank you all! <3 <3