Kayle’s recovery story
‘I don’t have to put on a front anymore.’
For Kayle, feeling safe changed everything. He experienced connection, honesty and change.
Kayle's journey from a life of crime and drug use to sobriety and building a stable life started with honesty and connection at a Richmind WA mental health recovery service.
Kayle realised that he didn’t need to take his recovery steps alone; he had practical and emotional support from staff and other residents to help him move forward.
With consistent and genuine support, he has made remarkable progress: ‘They’re always there to help you set better goals and sort yourself out.’
Taking first steps to recovery
After leaving detention at 17, Kayle was referred to Richmind WA’s Momentum Queens Park (MQP), a mental health residential recovery service for young people. When Kayle first arrived, he was unsure about the environment and the people around him. He initially struggled to trust others and felt disconnected, questioning whether others could really understand his experiences.
‘At first, I didn’t really like the people in here. I didn’t get where they were coming from; they seemed a bit too happy in life, like they had everything. But as I got to know them more, I realised some of them are just like me and come from a hard place. I learned to open up and actually have friends. I’ve had a few bumps, but then I realised everyone’s here for me and this is a safe place. I don’t have to be a gangster around here or put on a front. It’s easier to be healthy and clean right now. I feel safe.’
Reaching milestones and rebuilding trust
Staff at Richmind WA have supported Kayle in practical ways, including attending appointments, engaging with services such as Centrelink, and providing consistent emotional support during difficult periods. A key turning point for Kayle has been his growing sense of ownership over his recovery. He describes having full input into his recovery plan and feeling in control of his goals, with staff supporting him to follow through on the steps he chooses. And he’s recently reached 30 days of sobriety, a milestone he identifies as significant.
‘I just got 30 days clean. Also, I’m going by myself on the public bus to footy. I’m finding connections and groups as well. I’ve got a friend right now who actually pays for my food, and I’ve never had that before. I’ve never had someone pick me up when I’m down.’
Kayle has also begun rebuilding trust with his family. He can now communicate openly with them, and they are planning a family trip overseas together. For Kayle, this represents a major shift from a period where he felt he had caused significant hurt and disappointment.
‘I wanted to make sure my moves were good, not bad. I wanted to stop letting people down. I didn’t like being a drug addict and letting my family down anymore; I wanted to change that.’
Hope for the future
Looking ahead, Kayle is now 19 and he has clear aspirations for his future. He hopes to become a professional footballer and is focused on improving his fitness and training regularly. He also has goals that include working in the mines, travelling overseas and continuing to build a stable and healthy life.
Service Manager, Gareth Lomax, commented: ‘For me, Kayle’s made monumental progress over the last three or four months. One of the biggest changes is that he’s challenging those old ideas of what a man is “supposed” to be. Now he’s challenging that, opening up in psychology appointments, and putting in the work. He doesn’t take a day off; he wakes up and finds an excuse to do the right thing. I can’t say how proud I am of him; he’s doing some special things in a short time.’
Kayle sums up his approach simply: ‘I’m trying my best.’
