Finding a new path through Restorative Justice
This is a guest blog by Rory Sloan, Founder and Managing Director of ResoluteM;nds. Rory shares his story of substance abuse, mental health struggles, crime, and eventually rehabilitation through the power of Restorative Justice.
I struggled with substance abuse and severe mental health issues from the age of 14. As I grew up, I started getting more independent: I moved out of the house and became a full-time personal trainer. And then the COVID pandemic hit. This led to an eating disorder, deteriorating mental health, and eventually I became a full-time cocaine addict. In order to support this habit, I became involved in criminal activity.
Right after my 21st birthday, I was arrested. I was held on remand, and as soon as I was released, I knew I didn’t want to go back to that life. Participating in a Restorative Justice programme changed my life and flipped my mindset.
Alternatives, a Restorative Justice charity in Northern Ireland, connected me with therapist Emmett Watters right away, and within two sessions, my anxiety went from an eleven to a zero. Through the Restorative Justice programme, I learned that what I was doing wasn’t just hurting me – it was hurting my family, other people’s families, and the wider community. I met a victim, the mother of a drug addict, who explained what she had gone through from a parent’s point of view. For the first time, I understood the consequences of my actions.
Restorative Justice changed my entire perspective.
Not very many people are going to be in a worse off position than I was, or as deep into it as I was, and I was able to turn my life around. I’m not superhuman; I’m just someone who stuck their head down and decided they wanted to make a change.
I began speaking to young people, sharing my story to inspire them and show them that they can turn their lives around. Especially young people who are brought up in a certain environment, they don’t know that there’s another life out there besides crime. My message to the young people I speak to is simple: just because you’re stuck in this position doesn’t mean that you need to stay there for the rest of your life.
My lived experience motivated me to found ResoluteM;nds.
ResoluteM;nds is a specialised service which addresses mental health, trauma and addiction among young people. We educate, motivate and empower our clients to overcome these challenges through a holistic approach. By incorporating Restorative Justice, ResoluteM;nds helps young people recognise that their past mistakes do not define their future.
My firsthand experience with mental health struggles, trauma, addiction and crime drives the work we do. At ResoluteM;nds we believe every voice deserves to be heard and no one deserves to battle alone.
If you work with young people 16-26 who are involved in crime, vulnerable to getting involved in crime, or recently released from prison, please get in touch. We can provide mentorship and mental health support to help them see a way out.
For more information, visit our website and follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
