Roman Kemp Opens Up About The Death of His Best Friend 

Every week, 125 people in the UK take their own lives. 75% of these people are male. If you're struggling with your mental health, please contact Samaritans on 116 123. If you think a mate might be struggling, reach out to them and encourage a conversation. Let's look out for one another. 💛

The asking ‘are you alright?’ twice is such a great idea and everyone should do this

As a student of a British secondary school, I have found that mental health is taught to us in this day and age, just not in the right way. It is done in such a patronising, generic and animated way, alienating these issues from our real lives, rather than speaking of them realistically. I think if it was shown in a much more raw and relatable way that brings it home to people like us then the education would be much more beneficial and helpful. I haven't seen Roman's documentary yet but people like him are starting the movement that the curriculum needs so desperately.

Feel so bad for him, you can clearly see how it’s effecting him

It’s great that he’s decided to make a documentary about mental health. R.I.P Joe

Really hard subject to talk about, huge respect. I agree that mental health/resilience should be taught from a young age to break that stigma.

Can’t imagine losing my best friend and knowing that I could have helped

How can you dislike this.

The problem I have noticed is that when you feel depressed on a regular basis it becomes very hard to talk to people as you don't want them to worry or become sick and tired of you. Its also such a personal thing, you have to look after yourself and your mental health, you can talk and talk which does help in the short run but in the long term it won't do anything.

Asking him how he is after talking about a tough subject was genuinely the best follow up question u could’ve asked. Class

If anyone is feeling down and needs a chat, just let me know. We’re all in this together, thankfully I’ve been through these feelings and come out of the other side.

Hopefully the film saves so many lives

I’m really struggling rn, we’ve all got to stick together and get each other through

It’s a conversation no one one particularly wants to talk about, but it needs to be done. Huge bravery for young men who open up about their struggles. You’re not alone ❤️

I personally realised that my "normal" state is the depression and the sporadic changes are the "good days". So I accept that the good stuff is a bonus and bank it but know that I can drop down and that's OK and I can manage this state. We are all human and have feelings, no shame in that. Chin up guys, you're deserving of a beautiful life

he seems like such a lovely guy. good for him turning something so traumatic into something that will help people

My best friend also passed away very unexpectedly in September. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and it’s still so unbelievable. Although my best friend didn’t die from suicide (or coronavirus), I’m looking forward to watching this documentary as I hope it’ll help me realise I’m not alone and the things I’m feeling are normal ❤️

i feel like alot of men including myself wouldnt talk to anyone even our friends about our Mental Health, maybe because its our Ego/ Reputation or maybe because we dont want to upset/ bring down our friends down? we would rather struggle alone and its sad. we need people to talk about this more

My best friend commited suicide 4 years ago in June. We started arguing over money and it’s such a stupid thing to be fighting for , we got back talking but it was never the same as we were best mates, and he commited suicide and I couldn’t believe it because I was so stubborn and we’ve cried about this before saying we wud never do that , I feel like I could have done more and I live with that everyday , but at the same time I wasn’t the reason we fell out in the first place still to this day I can’t get over the pain of loosing him . I’ve also lost my dad to suicide at the age of 5. Suicide is a horrible thing to experience even tho I’ve experienced it my whole life it never gets any easier!

As a mum of a teenage son who suffers with his own mental health, it scares the hell out of me that I can’t protect him from this. But I do my damndest to make him feel he can talk to me about anything and that I will always be there to support him

I really want to give him the biggest of hugs. Heard of him but not really seen much. This is incredible, huge respect. Such a well articulated, passionate guy.

This is such a healthy conversation, I'm so proud of this generation for starting it. The kids are gonna be alright if they're raised more open minded.

I think schools and workplaces definitely need to do more for mental health. If you vomit, you get sent home, if you have a headache you can take some paracetamol or have a lie down, if you break your arm you go to hospital. Physical health is taken seriously. Yet mental health isn't. I don't know of anyone who genuinely feels like they could call in sick to work because they're having a bad mental health day and it be okay. We need to change the mentality of schools and employers so that people feel like they can take time off to help their mental health, the same as they would with their physical health. I think a lot of young people already feel under pressure when it comes to jobs and work, so the thought of taking a day off when you're not physically ill is not something they want to do. But that added pressure and stress then can easily lead to more serious mental health problems. Something needs to change about the taboo and social stigma about mental health and the workplace.

Thanks, guys for highlighting this, and thank you both for allowing Roman to sit and just speak without interrupting - made his points even more powerful!

The documentary had me balling me eyes out , so heartbreaking yet so common. I have so much respect for Roman for spreading awareness aboud such a distressing topic, there is still such a huge stigma around it partly bc it can be so well hidden . Huge respect, that is a horrible thing to go through.

I love that this is being talked about on your podcast. I think it will help others

So so important to talk more about this, and incredible words from Roman. Very brave, massive respect.

Thank you roman for being so open about your mental health. it’s really the people we least expect to be hurting the most

Nothing but respect I cant even begin to imagine what that must be like Roman is a real inspiration for raising awareness for something that affects so many people.

I lost my best friend 3 years ago and it doesn’t get easier. It took a picture to pop up on social media as a memory from 4 years ago for me to look at the picture deeply and it for the first time made me realise I will never see him again all from mental health. Anyone who’s struggling I beg you talk about it

So moving to hear Roman's words. To hear him speaking about his own experiences and teaching others ways to cope and check in on friends & family will help so many. Thanks for this clip!

Absolutely brilliantly put, great man👍🏼

Really difficult subject but I’m so glad it’s being spoken about more often and taken seriously. RIP to your mate

Very powerful message thank you for using your platform for good🙏🏼

Watched Roman’s doc tonight and I lost my best friend in the same way in 2017, thank you so much for this 💛

I really don’t know how anyone could dislike this video, amazingly heartfelt and i’m so glad more exposure is being put on mental health issues. If anyone’s struggling just please know that there are people out there to help, whether they are strangers or people close to you. Stay safe and reach out, no matter how big or small you believe the issue to be. It matters and so do you.

I rarely comment on content. This hits so deep within me. We've all bin through horrid separation from friends colleagues and family during the pandemic. To know people couldn't see a way out when they're at rock bottom is so sad. Thank you @romankemp you made something so terribly sad into a positive.

A conversation about mental health is always an important one, especially between men where I feel its previously been less common. Keep the conversation going lads

thia video needs more views. So many people are going through a tough time right now and it's important that we all look out for and help eachother.

Thank you for this clip

You know what this is one of the best videos I have ever watched. Hits the nail on the head every single time with every point. The awareness isn’t talked about enough. Fair play to Roman takes some balls to talk about his own problems on camera

Mad respect for Roman, so sorry for his loss, he's a brave man to talk about it.

This was a great podcast, he seems like a really nice lad

May this be the start of a new chapter around mental health. I fully back what he's saying and im glad that he's speaking out on it

Very well said, definitely helping a lot of people doing this jaack, stevie and obviously Roman ❤️❤️❤️

Absolutely amazing chat. Will be sharing around

Could connect with this so much. 5 years ago in January I lost my best friend, also called Joe. Roman has such a great way with words, brilliant interview.

My uncle took his life a few years ago. Massive respect to anybody speaking out & sharing their experiences. Credit to Roman I hope he’s good

Wow bro, good on ya. Really powerful and much needed and appreciated message.

absolutely love roman and am so grateful that this is finally being talked about ❤️

Bless him ,his parents must be so proud of him. I can remember when my grandson was around 14 started feeling depressed,said he could be in a room of people yet feel lonely. His school helped him a lot his friends looked after him,and the school put him onto a group of people on wotsapp he could ring and chat whatever time. We didnt realise how bad he felt until he told his mum he had a dream he threw himself off a cliff. Breaks my heart just writing this. Hes now nearly 17 a lot better in himself,and I'm so glad he spoke to his parents about it. But such an awful time he felt that way.so thank you for the documentary hopfully it helps you kids to talk about how you feel. Xx

This is such a powerful piece of work and is spot on great guest guys

this video is so fucking powerful. I feel like I want everyone to see it. "I want them to be the hero to their friend, that I wasn't to my friend" - made me feel emotional for so many different reasons. But mostly because I am not claiming to know anything about his relationship with his friend at all, but he probably DID help him, more than he will ever know. Proud of the podcast for putting this on a platform. And for letting him talk, like you always do. Appreciate this more than you guys know x

Proud of you Roman stay strong stay safe I watched your programme made me cry watching your struggle I get mental health it stinks ditto I have two beautiful nephews who ended their lives keep going kiddo stay strong stay safe sending love from headway Nottingham UK takecare xxxxx

Well done mate, your spreading a really important message. 👍🏼

I have never looked at mental health this way before I think stuff like this should really be implemented into school curriculums and brought up more. Great message Roman!

Roman Kemp is one of the nicest and genuine people, no one should have to go through losing your best friend too early, and I hope he doesn't blame himself because he's doing so much good

I remember listening on the radio as this was going on. The radio went silent for an hour. The next couple of days were so sad and hard to listen to as they explained what had happened and tried to remain positive despite the horrendous circumstances, but it was also so important. I'll tune in to this tomorrow night.

Love this episode. Great discussion and super powerful

Poor Roman. So sad he lost his best friend, he was so young 😔. And Roman is so young to be suffering with depression 😢. I watched this documentary tonight, and it was heartbreaking, so many young men are suffering from mental health issues, and not speaking up. The stigma needs to end now. No matter what age or who you are, never ever be ashamed of admitting you are struggling. Please open up to someone you can trust. It takes alot to admit when we are feeling strong. But it takes so much more to admit when are feeling weak, which makes us even stronger. And that's ok. Please don't suffer in silence. Sending everyone hugs 🤗♥🤗❤.

Huge amount of respect for him. Sorry for your loss

I just watched the full documentary, and it was truly powerful.

Class podcast, really great to see mental health awareness being spread more now a days...

I get there's people out there to speak to for mental health but it doesn't seem like a lot of people understand that when you are that low in life it feels like the best option at that point. It really is hard to get out of a point like that and when people say its selfish I just wish you would go through a situation that makes you like that for you to understand, it does suck to lose people to mental health but mental health is more complicated than people think, when people say you should always talk to someone yes it might help for some people but it doesn't work for everyone some people cope by not talking and finding something to help deal with what you are going through, I use the gym for example to help with it but its different for everyone I just hope that everyone who is suffering tries to find something to deal with it better but I hope you have a good year and keep up with the good things in your life .

I'm sorry for the loss of your bestfriend Roman , I lost my best friend 3 years ago with suicide the cause of mental health as you speak about your best friend so highly of him it's so familiar as I'm the same ! great talk you did thank you and take care .

Thank you for this I lost my befriend friend to a freak accident in 2018 and I have been in the worst place since then made some of the worst mistakes and tried to end it several times.... It does take a bigger person and some I definitely look up to to come out and talk about it!!! I still struggle but it helps when someone talks about it!

Roman Kemp you absolute donny, love you man, keep spreading the word x

What a good bunch of guys you really are, cheers lads

Roman if you are reading this thank you so much for this

I struggle with mental health and I tried to talk to someone I won’t mention who it was but they just said I was a 15-16 and now 17 year old lad I had no need for stress, for anxiety and for depression and I shut myself up after that but listening to this shows me anyone can go through it no matter age, backgrounds etc. Thanks Roman

He’s so amazing!

Fully respect this as a lad from a working class town who has a lost too many of my mates to mental health❤️

Roman Kemp is such a genuinely amazing person, huge respect for all hes doing

Love your videos keep up the cracking work

My respect for this man keeps growing

Great talk and needs to be talked about more, Never in my life did i think i would hit rock bottom last year, For anyone that hasnt experienced it let me explain the feeling, imagine waking up soon as you wake up you feel drained minute your eyes open, you wake up wishing its a dream, your brains going all over 24/7 you feel trapped like there is no ending to this horrid feeling, you dont want to talk or do anything just sit around do nothing,i could go on but thast the main things that i went through and it took me 2 months of that everyday to come to terms thing will get better, be blessed were living in this moment things could be alot worse people around the world going through alot worse, Once you crack that part it comes alot easier, If anyone is going through it you dont need to do anything stupid that will leave your friends and family in pain, take your time you will get through it trust me.

I hope Roman finds peace in helping others. Top guy 💪🏻

You really helped me today x

I want people to be the hero that I wasn’t to my friend. Wow that hit hard

Thanks for the documentary roman, the more publicity that people make the better chance people are aware of this good layd

Great guest on your podcast ❤️

So much respect 🖤 so much more needs to be done in terms of metal health. Things have gotten better in recent years but we still have so much more to do!

I was 18 that time that I struggled mentally. Almost 3 years ago. I thought I could just shrugged it off but as it goes day by day that time, it turned out more painful and heavy like every single day was really gloomy and no hopes at all. I am just so glad that someone enable to recognized my sufferings... The mental anguish I had in school, family, relationship and financially drained my emotional spirit that leads me to do parasuicide... :( It was very tough time battling with myself and I just can't help to still continue thanks those people who helped me out and supported all throughout the process of healing, especially to my family, my mom and to some of my close friends. It is very indeed that having someone who believes in you makes you still keep moving forward little by little. Right now, I am one of so many people who shared the same advocacy. Not giving the best but at least, letting every people I am with feel validated on their feelings and situation and checking them out... It really works! A simple, question of how are you will really create small different to others. After all, I believe that communication is the key about this issue, but it must along with comprehension and empathy. Because having without that two, it won't work effectively then. So to everyone who's dealing with something, know that there are people out there who values youuuu. You can also feel free to ping me via facebook or instagram... You will always have a safe space, I promise. Lastly, thanks to Roman Kemp and all the people behind this bittersweet documentary! Very outstanding!!!

this was good to see

So touching

I feel this man's pain. Keep strong!

Just finished watching his programme on BBC three a few minutes ago. Fantastic in every way. My brother just told me yesterday how he was suicidal a few months ago. None of us noticed. Spread the message.

Great respect and lots of love . Top guys all of you . X

You three are so strong mentally

I lost my mum to mental health at the age of 12. Nice to see someone talking about it

It's unfortunate how the doc came about but fair play to him & sorry for his loss

Well done mate 💪 great work

I’m 19 and I lost 2 of my mates last year , 2020 was the hardest year of my life it consumes you unless you go out and keep yourself busy during the day time , this was very hard in lockdown and as soon as my head hits the pillow I cannot sleep , I pray to god this year is better, look out for your brothers no matter what age , lifestyle , culture you are in ppl struggle ♥️

As guys we tend to bottle our emotions up and say we’re ok, and proceed to help others but never talk about ourselves and that last part needs to change, I’ve not lost anyone to suicide but I’ve felt depressed and suicidal myself, it took me 3 months to even talk to anyone, (at this point I was still living at home) and I was sat downstairs with my mum at 2am telling her how I felt, it was hard but it helped massively, if you are feeling suicidal or depressed please reach out to someone, it will help

poor roman :( hes so lovely and he struggled so much losing his bestfriend, rip.

Thank you

Thank you so much. I know someone at school who has Down syndrome and is going through really tough time and I won’t go into details and they might not have even been considering suicide but everyday at school I checked up on them and each day I would get a more detailed response and he came and said thank you for saving me. You guys r incredible thank

Roman spreading the word is really starting the convo that needs to happen. He brings up the chaps in Reading that ask twice “how are you doing?”...this lesson is so important it is being repeated by other high profile people like Harry Styles (in his interview with Zane Lowe). I appreciate deeply how Roman makes it ok to say yes I have been depressed. He is so strong to speak about his own depression. I consider myself a very happy, lucky person but I have felt the crush of depression and tried to take my life. By a miracle I didn’t die. I now believe there is a purpose to my life that I just haven’t been given an direct answer to...so I must continue to live until the mystery is solved. Please everyone take care of yourself. We are all human.

It’s so true what Roman is saying. I’m 19 and I’ve struggled with depression badly since I’ve left school , it HAS to be brought into the curriculum it’s a no brainier

Sounds like a really great guy, looking forward to listening to podcast.