Hello, my name is Katherine.

Some call me Ms. Kat, and others know me by my stage name: Audacious!

I’ve been a performer my entire life and a healthcare worker for 15+ years. I find deep fulfillment in helping people in need, and I find joy in entertaining others through dance, acting, and modeling. However, I have faced significant challenges along the way. Challenges that have upset my life balance, destroyed my livelihood, and affected my mental health.

I am the primary caretaker for my father, who is battling stage 4 leukemia and diabetes. I have watched him hover at the brink of death several times, and in 2020, I thought I was saying goodbye for the last time. My father did recover, but my mental and physical health had taken a serious hit due to the stress and trauma. I had a breakdown which crumbled my effectiveness at work. I was also in a car accident that reignited an injury that I’d been successfully recovering from, and now I’m in constant pain just doing things like driving, sitting, or standing. In my line of work, the job description often requires lifting or restraining people, and I just don’t have the ability anymore. It’s been extremely difficult finding a job that I could physically or mentally handle, on top of being a safe job that I could confidently come home to my father without worrying I would give him COVID. Unfortunately, the corner of the healthcare industry that I lean towards has a bad habit of pulling “bait and switches” with the job descriptions, and I would constantly be taken advantage of and pushed to further mental exhaustion. I haven’t been able to find any jobs as of late except for gigs here and there, but they don’t pay much in the grand scheme of things.

On August 8th, 2024, I found myself in the darkest place of my life, wishing it would all just end. I made the decision to sign myself into an inpatient Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).

This program provided me with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to treatment, mental health diagnosis, including psychotherapy, psycho-education, expressive therapy, and occupational therapy, all supported by medication management. The incredible staff, including master-level clinicians, graduate-level interns, an occupational therapist, a clinical nurse specialist, and a psychiatrist, worked together to offer short-term group therapy that has been nothing short of life-changing for me.

During my time inpatient, I participated in day-long treatment sessions with others who needed a higher level of care. For the first time in years, I felt truly safe, seen, heard, and supported. The nurturing environment allowed me to engage in intensive therapy that helped me regain a sense of normalcy and a better quality of life. I’ve rediscovered what it feels like to smile, laugh, and feel alive in my own skin. I now have a deeper understanding of myself and my brain. Though terrifying at first, opening up in group therapy has given me invaluable insights and the support of peers who understand what I’m going through..

I’ve completed a month in an inpatient program and will be stepping down to transition my care to outpatient services on September 4th. I’ve coordinated with an aftercare counselor who is guiding me through the next steps of my healing journey. This includes looking into healthy employment opportunities, exploring housing options, scheduling doctor and dental visits, and finding food assistance. I’ve been assigned a therapist and a new outpatient psychiatrist to help me stay on this path toward a healthy, happy version of myself. “Live to tell”

Unfortunately, without income, it’s become increasingly difficult to pay for car expenses, food, medical bills, or hygiene products. I’m especially at risk of losing my car soon.

I’m asking for your support to help me cover these critical needs. Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference in helping me stay afloat, continue caring for my father, and build my life back up.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to me.