Katie Ayotte
Katie Ayotte is a survivor—literally. She tried to end her life on numerous occasions after feeling overwhelmed by her physical and mental health problems, including her struggles with bipolar disorder. She failed in each of those attempts. And, through those failures came Katie's most important success—recovery and a life in the community.
"I realized that if I was going to live a normal life, I had to accept the fact that I needed professional help," Ayotte said. "For many years, I didn't want to burden my family with my thoughts or problems, so they never knew what I was going through. That only led to more feelings of isolation and suicidal thoughts."
Ayotte also credits the new approach that Maricopa County's behavioral health system is taking in dealing with individuals challenged by mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
"They are beginning to treat those of us who have attempted suicide as ‘people' and not criminals for what we tried to do," she said. "A new suicide prevention initiative that Magellan and other mental health partners are working on will help erase the stigma associated with suicide. The initiative encourages people like me to talk about it—not hide it away in some dark place where it never gets addressed so that the suicidal thought doesn't end up turning into an action."
Ayotte not only has turned her life around after her last suicide attempt last year, she now thrives in helping others through her advocacy work in the behavioral health system. She regularly speaks and presents to behavioral health organizations, at conferences and to individuals who are currently undergoing care within the system to share her personal story. She hopes that by doing so, she can help behavioral health professionals understand and get into the minds of individuals like her who are challenged with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, and also encourage those who have these same issues to reach out, talk about their problems and get the help they need to realize full recovery and meaningful lives.
Ayotte currently serves on Magellan Health Services of Arizona's Governance Board as a community representative, who brings a unique perspective to the table as an adult recipient within the mental health system. The board reviews and makes policy recommendations to enhance and improve the behavioral health system in Maricopa County.
"I feel very blessed," Ayotte said. "I'm married to a very understanding man; I'm fortunate to have my mother live with my husband and me, and I have a daughter and two beautiful granddaughters whom I adore. My family's support is so important in helping me with my mental illness."
Ayotte adds, "It also is important to let the public know that people with mental illness are productive members of our communities and should be treated with respect. "I share my story and do mental health advocacy work with the hope of changing people's perception of what ‘seriously mentally ill' looks like, because in my mirror, it looks a lot like me."
