The Power of Vulnerability: Tyler's Story of Healing and Hope

Each day he wakes up, Tyler Anderson gives thanks for his wife, three children and fulfilling career. For him, these gifts are profound and hard-won. Tyler’s experience shows even amid life’s darkest moments and greatest suffering, hope can remain.

After surviving two suicide attempts, Tyler has emerged with strength, determination and resilience. A man who once felt lost and hopeless has found fresh purpose, in part through a rewarding career with Froedtert ThedaCare.

As we mark Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Tyler shares his story of perseverance in hopes of helping others. 

“There’s power in vulnerability,” Tyler said. “If I can go first in telling my story of overcoming struggle, others can do it too.”

‘Extreme Sadness’

Tyler was born a preemie in 1991. At birth, he weighed just 1 pound, 12 ounces, and doctors gave him a 10% chance of living. Tyler did make it and throughout the years would develop a talent for writing and a love of basketball.

Around the age of 18, Tyler began to experience periods of what he describes as extreme sadness. During these spells, he would lose interest in eating and favorite activities and struggle to sleep. 

Coping with the fallout of relationship troubles and childhood trauma led to continuing bouts of depression throughout the years. Tyler, now 34, would attempt suicide for the first time in 2018 and again in 2021.

“It’s not that I wanted to die per se,” he said. “I just wanted to end the pain I was going through.”

After both suicide attempts, teams brought Tyler to Froedtert Hospital for initial care. From law enforcement to first responders to the team at the hospital, Tyler said he was treated with kindness and dignity.

“I got the help I needed in that moment,” he said. “The compassion and care I received were really a light for me.

Help and Healing

Anyone who lives with mental illness can attest that treatment is often non-linear and ongoing, lasting throughout a lifetime. That’s been the case for Tyler. 

After getting medically released after his suicide attempts, Tyler received inpatient care through an outside mental health treatment center. The experience gave him perspective. 

“Once you get into a mental health facility, you realize you aren’t alone,” Tyler said. “Other people are going through the same thing or sometimes even worse.”

With the help of individual and group therapy and medication, Tyler began to improve. He credits the care and support of his parents, wife and friends for helping him through his toughest times.

Today, Tyler continues to see a therapist, take medication and practice healing habits, including journaling.

“There’s no fix-all. It’s everything in combination,” he said of his ongoing treatment.

Newfound Purpose

Throughout the past five years, Tyler has experienced some of life’s greatest joys. In 2022, he married “the woman of his dreams,” Alissa. A year later, they would welcome a son, who joined Tyler’s older daughter and son.

For Tyler, one of the most transformative experiences has been finding a meaningful career. After working for years in the manufacturing industry, Tyler applied for a housekeeping job in environmental services (EVS) at Froedtert Hospital in 2025. He excelled quickly and in less than a year was promoted to EVS lead.

“It was a dream that was placed in my heart as a kid. I always thought I was created for more. The hospital setting drew me into that,” said Tyler, whose mom has worked for Froedtert Hospital for 30 years in various roles, now serving as a supervisor for Enterprise Patient Engagement Center operations. 

Working in EVS has given Tyler new appreciation for an often-unsung role.

“Without a clean environment, the doctors can’t perform their surgeries and the nurses can’t perform the care they need to,” he said.

Mathew Gnirk, Tyler’s leader, said he knew early on that Tyler brought something special to the team.

“He is just an overall general, good human being — one of those people where you meet them and you go, ‘Wow, I am just blessed to be in his presence,’” he said. “He is constantly uplifting, and to hear his story and where he came from and what he’s doing now is nothing short of amazing.”

Tyler said working for Froedtert ThedaCare has been life-changing.

“I feel purposeful and fulfilled. There hasn’t been a day in the past 10 months where I’ve thought, ‘Dang, I have to go to work today.’ I wake up wanting to come to work and make a difference,” he said.

Advocating for Others

Tyler remains grateful for his second and third chances: more time to grow as a husband, father and valued team member at work. In sharing his story, Tyler said he strives to serve as a source of hope for others. 

As a young man who lives with depression, he knows how hard it can be to overcome certain societal expectations.

“We’ve come a long way, but [mental health] still has a lot of stigma behind it,” Tyler said. “Culture likes to tell men to man up and not tell anybody about their feelings or their story.”

For those experiencing depression or mental health struggles, Tyler wants them to know help is available. All they have to do is ask. And above all, remember that emotions — even strong ones — will pass. 

“I tell other people a lot, don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings,” he said.

As for his own future, Tyler has just started in his career at Froedtert ThedaCare and anticipates opportunities to continue to grow in his professional and personal life. 

“There’s a bigger purpose for me here, and I don’t take that lightly or for granted ever. I wake up and get to make a difference,” he said. “When it’s my time to go, I want to look back and leave a legacy that’s bigger than me.”

If you need emotional support, call or text 988 to connect to the Suicide & Crisis Line, available 24/7/365. For mental health emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.