'I'm proof change can happen' - Waterford man who spent two years in prison for assault

A father of five from Waterford is an advocate for mental health and drug recovery as an ex-prisoner and drug addict himself.

Ray Power has shared his inspiring recovery story of life after prison and calls for more help and support for people struggling with addiction and mental health problems.

"Back in 2010, I had a good life — I was a proud father of five daughters and had a steady job in security. But around the age of 33, my mental health began to spiral out of control.

"Like many men, I found it hard to talk about what I was going through....instead of seeking help I tried to cope on my own and I started turning to drugs and becoming addicted to them.

"I was even addicted to my prescribed antidepressants. My life fell apart through my bad choices made in pain and confusion.

"Eventually, I ended up in prison after assaulting a man, I served two years."

Ray said that prison was one of the hardest experiences of his life.

READ NEXT: Waterford writer's debut story wins €5,000 top prize in RTÉ Short Story Competition

"But it (prison) was also where I faced my addiction head-on. I went through a brutal detox with almost no support — it nearly killed me but I survived.

"When I started to recover, I saw clearly that so many people around me were in the same position: locked up not because they were bad people, but because they were broken, addicted, and unsupported.

"Our prisons have become dumping grounds for people with addiction and mental health issues, yet there is little real help for them inside or outside those walls. We spend millions locking people up, but pennies on addressing the causes — trauma, mental illness, poverty, and lack of support."

Ray said that after his release from prison he worked hard to rebuild his life.

"It wasn’t easy; Garda vetting, stigma, and closed doors make it extremely difficult for anyone with a record to move forward. But I was determined.

"Today, I work as a support worker in Waterford City, helping people struggling with addiction and mental illness, including those leaving prison. I also go into prisons to share my story and to show others that change is possible.

"But the truth is — people shouldn’t have to go through what I went through alone. We need a system that supports recovery, not one that punishes pain."

Ray is calling for:

Proper mental health and addiction services inside and outside of prison.

Real aftercare and housing support for people leaving custody.

Pathways to employment and rehabilitation instead of permanent punishment.

Less medication as a quick fix, and more human support — people who listen, understand, and guide others through recovery.

"I am living proof that change can happen when people are given a chance. But far too many never get that chance. It’s time to stop setting people up to fail and start building a system that helps them succeed," he said.

Ray would also like to say that he has hurt people during the bad stages in his life and gives his apologies to those he hurt.