Roman Kemp says his mental health issues make him feel like he’s struggling Mike Tyson ‘in a boxing ring and didn’t have a boxing lesson’.
The 28-year-old radio host appeared on Steph’s Packed Lunch in Channel 4 on Wednesday to discuss the importance of talking about mental health in schools at a young age after experiencing his own struggles and after losing his producer friend Joe Lyons to suicide in August 2020.
On his personal experiences, Roman explained, “I’ve had a lot of issues of my own, I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts, I’ve been on antidepressants for 15 years of my life.”
Honest: Roman Kemp, 28, told Steph’s Packed Lunch on Wednesday that his mental health struggles feel like he’s fighting Mike Tyson ‘in a boxing ring and hadn’t had a boxing lesson’
“I feel like sometimes if my brain is in a situation where it feels like Mike Tyson punched it, I feel like I’m in a boxing ring and I haven’t had a boxing lesson.”
Capital FM host Roman spoke about how Joe’s family has since established the charity Joe’s Buddy Line to help provide mental health support in schools.
Insisting that it’s paramount to start talking about mental health from a young age, he said: “Talking about mental health needs to start before we’re even 16 and doing PSHE.”
Paramount: Capital FM host spoke about the importance of talking about mental health in schools at a young age after experiencing his own struggles
‘It has to be embedded in the lessons and it has to be embedded in the schools…as soon as possible. Understanding that talking is something that can help us.’
He added: “It’s about teaching kids and showing them that these are the tools you need so that when you’re up against these demons, you can knock them out in the park, you can deal with them, you can talk about them.
“Unfortunately, when people reach the age of 16, particularly children, they make a conscious decision of how much they are going to let someone in.
Speaking: On his personal experiences, Roman explained, “I’ve had a lot of issues of my own, I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts, I’ve been on antidepressants for 15 years of my life.”
Tribute: Roman previously paid tribute to the late radio producer Joe Lyons (pictured) after his death in August 2020
‘No matter how many chats they have, they will always retain something.
“It’s about being able to instill that talking about feelings and looking for trigger points, taking care of your peers is something that needs to happen in schools from that youngest age.”
Roman’s best friend Joe, who had been a beloved producer at Global Radio for nine years, died suddenly in August 2020.
Much loved: Roman’s best friend Joe, who had been a much-loved producer at Global Radio for nine years, has committed suicide in August 2020.
In March of last year, Roman presented a BBC documentary called Our Silent Emergency about male suicide and mental health.
The station ran the one-off special in an attempt to “show that there are ways to reach those who are suffering” following Joe’s death.
Roman, who has suffered from depression since he was 15, revealed that he once considered suicide, while reflecting on his mental health with his mother on the show.
Best Friend: When the DJ found out that Joe had died, he suddenly went off the air and didn’t return to Capital Breakfast until the following week.
And the star, who is a patron of Joe’s Buddy Line, said she never thought suicide would affect her life or the lives of her loved ones, calling on the government to do more to help.
He told Steph McGovern: ‘I wish I didn’t know anything about suicide, I wish it wasn’t part of my world, I wish I didn’t know anyone.
‘I’m sure it’s the same for Joe’s family… It’s the leading cause of death for men under 40, so how come people don’t talk about it? How is it that it is not taught in schools at a young age?
“I never like to get political but the government’s ignorance about it is unbelievable and the statistics show that… I’m sure a lot of school teachers could see this chat and agree that not enough is being done to help.” to the students in school.’
For confidential assistance call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.
Bold: The star, who is a patron of Joe’s Buddy Line, said she never thought suicide would affect her life or the lives of her loved ones, and called on the government to do more to help (pictured with father Martin Kemp in 2021 )
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