Roman Kemp has been refreshingly honest about his own difficult mental health journey.
The 28-year-old revealed last year he’s been on anti-depressants since he was 15, because they keep him from being “thrown into a dark place”.
The Capital breakfast show host also fronted a documentary for the BBC, Our Silent Emergency, following the passing of his best friend and radio producer Joe Lyons, who tragically took his own life in 2019 at the age of 31.
Speaking to The Mirror, Roman said he was overwhelmed by the incredible reaction from viewers when the documentary came out, and he plans to release another in 2022.
It’s acts like this, working to improve mental health awareness and to help promote sustainability, that gives Roman purpose in life and helps him cope with the darkness, he says.
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He is incredibly frustrated by the government’s lack of response to the current mental health crisis, and he also believes schools aren’t doing enough to help children who are struggling, either.
“Sorry, I sound so cynical,” he says, sadly.
But one way Roman does cope with his own anxieties is to channel them into positive change, using his platform for the better.
That’s why he partnered with McDonald’s to visit the chain’s first ever net zero carbon restaurant in Market Drayton.
(Image: BBC)
The restaurant, which will act as a blueprint for future restaurants around the country, has been designed to be net zero emissions standard in both construction and every day operation – an industry first.
Featuring the latest innovations in sustainable building design throughout, the restaurant has been deliberately designed to retain the familiar McDonald’s look and feel to ensure it can be effectively replicated as the business looks to revolutionise the way it designs its new and existing restaurants to achieve net zero emissions for all its 1,400 restaurants and offices by 2030.
From a Drive-Thru lane made from recycled tyres, wall art made from used coffee beans and kerb stones made from plastic bottles, the restaurant will act as a testing site for a number of industry-first innovations.
(Image: Anthony Devlin/PA)
It’s powered by on-site solar panels and wind turbines, with walls insulated with British sheep’s wool which might otherwise have gone to landfill, and which replaces unsustainable man-made materials.
The cladding is made from recycled IT equipment and white household goods like washing machines, amounting to 250 sqm of recycled materials.
Wall signs are made from McDonald’s used coffee beans, and the kerbs stones are each made from182 recycled plastic bottles.
But Chicken Legend fan Roman’s favourite part was the Drive-Thru lane which is made from recycled tyres, producing less carbon-dioxide and allowing more water to be absorbed, reducing the amount of rainwater going down the drain.
(Image: Anthony Devlin/PA)
There’s even a biodiversity garden and nature trail designed by schoolchildren from Market Drayton Junior School, which will will collect rainwater from the carpark and provide a habitat for frogs and other wildlife.
Roman used to be vegan while he was on a health kick in 2019, but now occasionally eats meat – and he says it’s all about striking a balance, doing what you can and not letting yourself get too bogged down by things you can’t change.
For example, if you simply eat vegan once or twice a week, you are still making a big difference.
Out of his family, which includes dad Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet and mum Shirlie Holliman who used to perform with Wham!, Roman is the only person who eats meat.
“I am so proud of my family for that,” he says.
But he thinks when it comes to the climate crisis, the messaging drastically needs to change.
He points out that we are routinely told humans are “killing the planet”.
“The planet was here long before us, and it’ll be here long after we’re gone,” he says.
“We aren’t killing the planet, we’re killing ourselves and our ability to live here.”
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
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‘Cynical’ Roman Kemp desperate for change in mental health and climate messaging
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