Tricia Cutright, A peer with LIFTT since 2019 was recently named the agency’s Data and Quality Control Manager. (LIFTT File photo)
My name is Tricia Cutright, and I have just started as LIFTT’s Data and Quality Control Manager. I have been at LIFTT as a Peer Mentor since 2019. Peer mentors provide education, recreation, and support opportunities to individuals. The peer mentor may challenge the mentee with new ideas and encourage mentees to move forward, step out of their comfort zones, and think outside the box.
I am a person with invisible disabilities. I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, and Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar type. These disabilities are challenging because most people do not understand Mental Health disabilities. In my experience, the diagnosis of Schizophrenia is met with fear because society has put such a negative stigma on this disability. Most people immediately dismiss us when in fact we can be very productive members of the community.
It took me some soul-searching and leaps of faith to do but I decided to share this information to encourage those with invisible disabilities and to stand as an example that they can live independently. It is my hope to bring positive awareness to this issue with my work through LIFTT and Mental Health Advocacy. Because of my disabilities, and the loss of my oldest son to suicide in 2005, I became involved in the Butte-Silver Bow Mental Health Local Advisory Council in 2016. I was a part of the committee that worked with Montana’s Peer Network to bring the Certified Peer support pilot program to work with Butte’s police department and Mental Health providers.
I moved back to Billings in 2018 and contacted the local Mental Health Advisory Board to continue my involvement with Mental Health Advocacy. I met the board chair, who happened to work at LIFTT. He got to know me and interviewed me for the Peer Mentor program. I have been involved with the council now known as the Yellowstone County Behavioral Health Local Advisory Council and LIFTT ever since.
I have an extensive background in Computers, and I hope someday to complete my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I only need five classes to finish, but funding is my roadblock. While training to become an Independent Living (IL) specialist, I accepted the opportunity to become LIFTT’s Data Manager and have been working in this position since December 2022. Although the field of technology is demanding, I feel energized by what I am doing and feel I am growing professionally and as a human being. In my current job as Data Manager, I enjoy helping and supporting all LIFTT’s team members and consumers. I love helping people and making their life easier. In my downtime, I crochet hats for the homeless, paint pictures, and love going to hot springs around the state and car races.
I Wish you all a Happy New Year!
Tricia Cutright, Data & Quality Control Manager