At the beginning of March, I made an attempt on my life & would have succeeded had it not been for the intervention of loved ones.
My name is Tanner Albert and I’m currently living in Colorado with 2 close friends that I’ve known since childhood. Being in Colorado has provided me with countless opportunities that I have unfortunately been unable to rise to meet due to health related issues. At my highest point here I was given the opportunity to teach the final in a college course at UC Boulder & was even asked to come back & teach another lesson the next semester for a 3D art & design class.
I’m working with mental health professionals, seeking solutions to my situation that will allow me to utilize my skill sets to benefit myself & those around me.
Currently, I’m unable to work or establish any sense of a professional life due to my mental and physical health. My day to day life is a combination of chronic fatigue, depression, fractured REM sleep, and digestive issues. This month I’ve had 2 emergency room visits & multiple visits with my therapists and psychiatrist. I’ve been admitted into an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) care program in Boulder that will last until mid-June. This treatment program is addressing the widest gamut health needs I’ve ever had.
My IOP caregivers have concluded that my biggest priority in life right now is to get my sleep, internal issues, & mental symptoms under some form of control before I can expect to maintain a job or some form of real world stability. They’re trying their best to create a treatment plan that's best for me, but after trying Ketamine Therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, countless medications, & many therapists/psychiatrists since the age of 10, it’s going to take a minimum of 90 days of very involved care to see benefits. I’ve had 2 sleep studies done, but currently I’m expected to have a more thorough psychiatric evaluation, a look at what’s going on internally, & further analysis of my fractured REM sleep cycle that came from my sleep study results.
I have hope in terms of how much care I am now receiving. The strain right now is just being able to meet my obligations in life. This is something that affects all aspects of my life from personal to professional to financial. There is a lot of promise in what’s ahead right now. My periods of hopelessness have been summarized as not a desire to die, but rather the pain of not being able to live as fully as I would like. The time I’ve spent dealing with all of this throughout my life has become increasingly fatiguing and frustrating, but I still believe that a version of me is out there that can thrive and deserves any and all efforts I can summon on my behalf.
A few words from my dad, Roger Albert:
I woke up the morning of March 1st, 2026 to a text message that stopped my world in its tracks.
After a 12 hour drive from Tulsa, I was in Tanner's bedroom, thankful to know he was still alive.
Tanner has pretty well spelled out his Life Journey up to this point.
But his life has been much more than his struggles. Tanner is the kid who sat by the new student in the grade school cafeteria so they wouldn't feel alone. He is an excellent photographer, 3D art generalist (stills and motion), and an aspiring guitarist. He has a big heart for people who struggle in life. He has a wicked sense of humor and a great smile.
At the time of this GoFundMe request, I am still in Boulder, sleeping on a couch in Tanner's room. I will be here at least an additional week to monitor sleep, medicine acclimation, mood and treatment response (all promising so far).
Mindy, my very supportive wife, has been in Tulsa, working to help support Tanner. I have been working remotely, thanks to the understanding hearts of the owners of the company I have been at for 30 years.
THE NEED:
Immediate: $5,000 by April 1st
Short term: $10,000 for May and June ($5000 each month)
Long term - possibly an additional $30,000 (this is flexible, depending on contributions and need beyond the first 90 days).
Having not worked since mid-January, 2026, we're already behind on "need". He will not be working until this program is finished on June 12th, 2026. It may take some additional time after the program has ended to begin working again, and then only part time to start with.
WHAT IS COVERED: Tanner currently has Medicaid through the State of Colorado. So far, it is covering all of his medicine and treatment expenses. We don't know if that lifeline will continue as it has been. Colorado has a $1.5 billion budget deficit going into their next fiscal year which starts in July. Medicaid cuts are certain, but we would only be speculating if it will impact his coverage.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED: Tanner's rent, utilities, food, gas and general living expenses, both during and after treatment. We're putting the known minimum monthly need for Tanner at $4000 per month, with the remaining $1000 in reserve for unexpected expenses (or taxes on income).
His immediate need of $5000 includes April 1st rent of $1200, his living expenses for the rest of the month and the above mentioned reserve.
OTHER AVENUES WE ARE PURSUING:
We are exploring government non-medical assistance programs which may or may not offset short and longer term expenses. Fundraising goals will adjust if additional government assistance is available.
We cannot thank you enough for considering Tanner's current and future needs. We will give updates weekly, or more often as contributions are received. If you cannot contribute financially, you can still help by sharing his need to others who may know him. All thoughts and actions of care are gratefully received.
With sincerest thanks, Tanner and Family.