Roman Kemp has become a leading advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing his struggles and using his platform to encourage conversations about well-being. 

However, his father, musician and actor Martin Kemp, has now admitted that he has concerns over the emotional toll this takes on his son.

Roman has been candid about his own mental health battles, revealing in 2021 that he once came close to attempting suicide. 

His documentary Our Silent Emergency explored this deeply personal experience while also addressing the devastating loss of his close friend and radio producer Joe Lyons, 

who took his own life in 2020. 

Since then, the One Show presenter has dedicated much of his time to campaigning for better mental health support, particularly for young people.

However, while Martin deeply respects his son’s work, he has shared his fears about how revisiting such painful moments could affect Roman’s own mental well-being.

Martin Kemp’s Concerns for Roman

During a recent episode of their podcast FFS! My Dad is Martin Kemp, Martin opened up about his worries, explaining that he fears his son’s commitment to mental health awareness may have unintended consequences.

“I worry about you doing this, I worry about it,” Martin admitted. “Because I know that, from being an actor, that when you convince yourself and talk about things so much, it can come down heavily on your psychological health.”

He went on to say that while he appreciates the positive impact of Roman’s work, he cannot help but be concerned about the emotional strain it might be putting on him.

“I appreciate you doing it, and I think what you’re doing is great, but I worry about the effects on you,” Martin added.

Roman’s Perspective: Finding Healing Through Conversations

Despite his father’s concerns, Roman explained that he actually finds comfort in speaking about his past struggles. Rather than weighing him down, he believes that discussing his experiences helps him process the trauma.

“Reliving the trauma actually helps me. Like, the more I talk about it, the more it dilutes the story and you become semi-detached,” Roman shared.

According to him, this process allows him to recognize that the painful experiences are in the past and that they do not define his present or future.

“It becomes what happens to you in your life. You’re more likely to understand that that was in the past, that’s happened,” he explained.

Roman’s Ongoing Advocacy for Mental Health

Roman’s advocacy extends beyond personal conversations—he is also working to change how mental health is addressed in society. He has previously called for better support systems in schools, arguing that discussions about mental well-being should start much earlier.

“Talking about mental health needs to start earlier than when we get to 16 and we’re doing PSHE,” he said in a 2022 interview. “It has to be engrained into lessons and schools… as early as possible.”

His commitment to this cause has led him to Parliament, where he has campaigned for increased funding for child mental health services. Roman has also been open about his own long-term struggles, revealing that he has been on antidepressants for 15 years.

“I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts. I’ve been on antidepressants for 15 years of my life,” he shared in a Channel 4 interview. “It’s so important to talk about it because those conversations save lives.”

A Father’s Love and a Son’s Mission

Martin Kemp’s concerns for his son are understandable—no parent wants to see their child in pain, even if that pain is channeled into a meaningful cause. His worries reflect the fine balance that mental health advocates must navigate: raising awareness while ensuring they are also taking care of their own well-being.

For Roman, the ability to speak openly about his struggles is not just a means of healing for himself but also a way to help others who may feel alone in their battles. His dedication to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health continues to inspire many, and his work is a testament to the power of open conversations.

While Martin may always worry about the impact this has on his son, there is no doubt that Roman’s efforts are making a difference—both in his own life and in the lives of countless others.

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