Speaker – MICHAEL RAYDAN
The lessons I have learnt on my journey keep me driven to work towards a shift in how we as a society view mental illness, addiction, and incarceration. I am now committed to dedicating my life to three main causes of change.
The I’m Just a Man Gala Ball provides a wonderful opportunity for you to partner with an amazing cause, created to raise much needed awareness around men’s issues, especially suicide.
Michael Raydan
Growing up, I suffered greatly from an anxiety condition that crippled me in almost every way. My life was dictated by its incessant and unrelenting attacks which manifested through panic. I learned what it felt like to have many friends, a wonderful family, and yet feel utterly alone.
I was told by psychiatrists I would never be free from medication lest I become insane. As time went on I fell victim to addiction of both prescription medication and illicit drugs. This behaviour saw me enter a world of petty crime and violence, ultimately resulting with my incarceration.
During my time in prison I had my eyes opened, obliterating my preconceived ideas about the prison system. I forced myself into sobriety which unearthed certain horrors about my past and the damage I had caused my family – I had literally woken up into a living hell which I had created.
I substituted medication and drugs with regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet. This allowed me to manage my anxiety condition with natural remedies and no drugs. I am currently taking no medication and living a fulfilled life out of prison.
The lessons I have learnt on my journey keep me driven to work towards a shift in how we as a society view mental illness, addiction, and incarceration. I am now committed to dedicating my life to three main causes of change. They are:
PREVENTION – I hope to tell my story in such a way for it to assist in preventing others traveling down the same dark and traumatic path as I did.
EDUCATION – I hope to use my experiences over the last 15 years to educate society in a way that creates a shift in how we as a community view incarceration, addiction, and mental illness.
REINTEGRATION – I hope that through the expression of my experience I can reveal the importance of assisting our men and women with employment and education shortly after they leave prison.
let's talk about it.
If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!