Roman Kemp bravely admitted to having battles with his mental health and coming out on top after giving up his antidepressants.
Roman Kemp has bravely discussed his mental health. The broadcaster has previously been open about his struggles, revealing previously that he had suicidal thoughts.
In 2020, Roman’s world was turned upside down following the tragic death of his close friend and colleague, Joe Lyons, known to thousands as Producer Joe, due to his position on the Capital FM Breakfast Show, which Roman previously hosted.
After coworkers visited Joe’s home, Roman, 32, was given the shocking news while working. Joe had a completely off-character absence from work, which he had to rectify. The talented producer sadly took his own life at the age of 31.
Following the death of Joe, Roman bravely shared his own experiences with mental health and fronted the BBC Three documentary, Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency, exploring the epidemic which is affecting young men.
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He started taking sertraline, an antidepressant, as a teenager, as well as dealing with suicidal thoughts from the age of 15. Now, Roman has opened up to the Mirror, admitting he’s no longer taking his prescription anti-depressants.
He referred to his documentary on mental health and suicide as “it’s really hard, I speak about it now, it can come across in a desensitized way.” Because there is no taboo around it for me, because the worst thing has already happened, it’s simple for me to talk about.
He went on to add: “It’s a decision that I made when I wanted to make it, and you’re in a catch-22. Would you rather have Joe back or would you rather have him if you said, “Look at all these people you might have helped with Joe’s story”? It sounds selfish in some ways, but I would always just have him back. This is the situation we’re in.
I made the first documentary to try to help someone; I had to try and understand it for myself. I’ve said before that I worked with my friend in a very selfish way. From someone who had already considered killing themselves, how have I not seen that? It fluctuates, but it’s been very interesting for me over the past year because I’ve stopped taking antidepressants and finding it challenging. It’s been a little bit harder than I anticipated. “Since Joe’s death, Roman has become an ambassador for Joe’s Buddy Line, offering free, confidential support to people across the UK.
But Roman urged that people in a similar situation shouldn’t try coming off their antidepressants via the cold turkey method”. He continued, “I’ve done that, and my doctor gave me a very strong telling off. Never do that,” he continued. Roman once said, “I actually ended up in one of the worst places of my life when I did that.” But when I did it this time, you came down slowly and came off it. If I have to turn things around, I don’t see it as a failure. That is what I find to be healthier.
Despite his achievements over the years, Roman explained his famous dad, Martin, of Spandau Ballet fame, told him that his 2020 documentary would be the” best thing “he would do in his career”. I was thinking, “Do I take offence to that? ” at the time. Before telling his father that he had a long list of accomplishments to tick off, he explained.
“He [Martin] goes ‘Those things don’t matter, that matters,’ now when I look back on it, that’s the thing,” he said of his career highlights. And while mental health is no longer as taboo as it once was, Roman has now branched out with the Premier League for their Together Against Suicide campaign.
For men and women under the age of 35, suicide is the leading cause of death. Since September 10, every match, across all 20 Premier League clubs, have proudly stood together to show their support and ensure that fans know where to turn to if they need it.
I’m really proud of the team, Roman said, “I think what we’ve been able to achieve is really good. The entire group, the Premier League, myself, Vinai Venkatesham [Chief Exec of Tottenham Hotspur]. It’s the start of the campaign. It’s all about how it can continue now, after that.
“That’s the difficult thing, the difficulty is making people realise it’s not just mental health awareness day or month. World suicide prevention day shouldn’t be a thing; it should be every day. That’s the journey we’ve got to go on. I saw an article where Jude Bellingham came out [and spoke about his own mental health] and spoke about going to therapy. Even things like that, I think, because of the narrative we set out with the Premier League – more players are seeing it and going ‘Ok, I can come forward,’ that would be amazing if more players came forward – but that was really for the fans and becoming an intervention point.”
Roman, 36, says it was the “hardest thing” he’s ever done, but while his mental health is currently on track, he recently participated in Celebrity Race Across the World with his sister, Harley Moon, 36. He bravely continued, “I was on the verge of panic attack constantly,” saying, “Doing it without no antidepressants is the most difficult thing ever.”
In retrospect, I think it was my best decision ever. We never spent any of our time together, aside from our crazy time together. We were always very different to each other, but we also very much misunderstood each other. I never disclosed to Harley that I loved her before going through this.
Because I thought we were two very different people, I had never said that before. I had never just called her for a catch-up. It was so intriguing to see what relationship would come from that situation. As you can see, my mother is extremely proud that we are still alive.
However, the show did come with serious risks. “Our series is dangerous, that’s what I will say – Mexico to Colombia is no joke,” he stated. He went on to say: “It’s one of my favourite shows, out of all of the projects I choose to do, they’re all things I genuinely enjoy or feel an association with.
When I watch Race Across the World, I look at it and say, “It looks really fun, how difficult can it be,” and then I go there on day four because it’s awful and takes a long time. Seven weeks !
Roman has recently been announced as Marriott Bonvoy’s official Getaway Guru in partnership with Nectar, a campaign he aligns with due to his love of travel”. It’s a no-brainer to talk about how people can build up points on their weekly shops when it comes to what people spend their money on. When people leave, realizing that the experience you are purchasing lasts forever, I’m always an advocate for them.
Reflecting on the current state of the country and increased prices, he said:” It’s tough for anyone, being able to provide for your family and give your family those memories. Anyhow, the thought “I can do this and I can help me toward a hotel or a trip away” can help to relieve that or give you inspiration. ” “
But when it comes to planning a getaway, Roman admits he loves holidays, which allow him to learn”. He said, “I went to South Africa,” before stating that he had arranged to meet with a tour guide. He continued, “I like an itinerary. When I go away, one of the best tips I’ve ever had, and I use it all the time now, I try to do a food tour. Roman can absorb both the agricultural industry, the socio-economic situation, and the local culture in addition.
I always feel like, “Where is the history that I can go and find? ” because I like learning when I leave. “He went on to explain:” It’s such a fun role to take on. This partnership with Marriott Bonvoy x Nectar is all about helping people reevaluate how they organize their vacations, and I really like it. They did a lot of research, I think. Turns out that 41% of Brits spend as much time thinking about their weekly food shop as they do planning their next holiday. “
New Marriott Bonvoy members who register via Nectar and link their online accounts will receive 500 bonus Nectar points, and all linked account holders will earn 500 more Nectar points in addition to the Marriott Bonvoy points they have earned during their first three hotel stays. Visit https://www.nectar.com/brands/marriott-bonvoy for more information, including terms and conditions and links to Nectar and Marriott Bonvoy accounts.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
If you need support, text Joesbuddy to 85258, where you can talk to a trained volunteer around the clock.
Source: Mirror
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