Roman Kemp is promoting the Premier League’s ‘Together Against Suicide’ initiative, aiming to use football’s community to support mental health and prevent suicide. Inspired by personal loss, Kemp emphasizes normalizing the conversation around suicide and connecting people with the right resources.
Roman Kemp, a familiar face on TV and a passionate football fan, is leveraging his platform to address a critical issue: suicide prevention. Kemp's deep connection to football, which he describes as "transcendent" and akin to a religion, fuels his belief that the sport can play a pivotal role in tackling mental health challenges.
"I go to football every week, all my life. Home, away, England away, all of it," Kemp shares. "And there is something about it that is transcendent. It almost feels like religion to me. Like if you go on holiday and you go into a church, even if it’s empty, you can feel the energy it’s got in there. A football stadium is the same."
Kemp's commitment extends beyond mere fandom; he meticulously analyzes Arsenal's performance, demonstrating a dedication that mirrors his approach to broadcasting. This same enthusiasm drives his involvement in the Premier League's new initiative, Together Against Suicide, set to launch on Wednesday.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about suicide and improve access to support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. The program will be implemented online and in select stadiums, where 11 clubs will pilot spaces offering information and resources. This initiative is a result of Kemp's collaboration with Vinai Venkatesham, the chief executive of Tottenham, whom he met before his move from Arsenal. Kemp firmly believes the initiative "puts compassion and connection at the heart of football and something I really believe will make a difference to the fans that need it.”
The cause is deeply personal for Kemp. In 2020, he tragically lost his best friend and Capital Radio breakfast show producer, Joe Lyons, to suicide. This devastating experience prompted Kemp to create a BBC documentary exploring the mental health struggles faced by young men, particularly during the pandemic. He also bravely shared his own battles with clinical depression and suicidal thoughts, revealing a diagnosis from his teenage years.
"I always say depression lives within everyone and some people just deal with it better," Kemp explains. "Mental health is a living thing that lasts throughout the entirety of our lives. It’s something that you’re just constantly trying to get better at.”
Roman Kemp (centre) with his best friend and colleague Joe Lyons (left) who took his own life in 2020.
Statistics highlight the urgency of the issue, with suicide being the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK – a demographic heavily represented at football matches. Kemp advocates for a shift in approach, moving beyond simply encouraging people to "talk about their mental health" to actively connecting them with appropriate support systems. He envisions the Together Against Suicide scheme as a means to educate individuals about available resources and facilitate crucial initial conversations.
"Something that I have learned along the way is that when someone makes that first conversation, when they say: ‘I think I need some help here,’ the likelihood of taking their own life drops significantly," he emphasizes. "It’s being able to have a proper conversation with someone that can show you the reality of the situation you are in.
"I’ve been in the situation where I’ve had mental breakdowns, I’ve had suicidal thoughts, I’ve been at dangerous points. And when someone just breaks it down for you and when someone is there just to calm you down, to make you realise that you’re OK, the change is massive. You then know, OK, if I have that thought again, I can go back to that place and I can do it.”
Despite his privileged background as the son of Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet, Roman is acutely aware of the need to prove himself. He acknowledges the skepticism surrounding his new role as a Sky Sports presenter, understanding that some may question his credentials. However, he has embraced his position as an ambassador for suicide prevention, recognizing both the challenges and the potential to make a difference.
"If there’s a game that I can’t go to, I’ll be in the pub watching," he says, "and a regular, normal thing is for someone to come up to me and say: ‘Roman, I tried to kill myself last week.’ It’s intense, but I kind of signed up to it. I’m not a doctor, though, and I try never to give advice. I always say they need to find someone proper.”
Together Against Suicide represents a significant step towards destigmatizing the topic and facilitating access to help. Kemp highlights the importance of normalizing the word "suicide," noting that many people struggle to even utter it. He credits his mother, Shirlie Kemp (formerly of Pepsi & Shirlie), with a powerful slogan: "Every week we ask for your support, so don’t be afraid to ask for ours."
Kemp reiterates his belief in the unique power of the football community. "Football holds the biggest place in my heart, it’s the constant in my life," he says. "I just feel like it’s so untapped as a community. It doesn’t know just how much of a difference it can make.” By fostering compassion and connection within the sport, Kemp hopes to create a lasting impact on mental health and suicide prevention.