Roman has been candid about his mental health struggles over the years (Image: Getty)
has opened up to fans in an emotional update, announcing that he has stopped taking antidepressants after over a decade.
The 31-year-old former Capital FM host, who’s been honest about his mental health struggles over the years, said he’s now ready to work through his emotions without relying on medication, which he started using at just 15 years old.
Kemp admitted he has stopped taking them for the last four months. He wrote on : “It has now been 4 months since I stopped taking anti-depressants and it’s safe to say they’re out of my system. Something I have taken since I was 15 years old.”
He continued: “Now while I’m still learning about why I suddenly what to cry more and may get a bit snappier at my friends, I’m excited at the thought of understanding what the emotional side of me is really like.
“I’m neither for or against taking anti-depressants, I’m about what is right for YOU and if it helps you then go for it.”
:
“They helped me through a long period of mental struggle in my life but I’m now ready to move on,” he added. “Only posting this in case anyone was ever worried about starting/stopping.”
His followers, including his celebrity pals, flooded the comments section to show their support. Professor Green said: “Would love to bend your ear at some point bro, i started an ssri for my ocd recently and also begun medicating newly diagnosed combined adhd… not sure where i sit with it all as always been anti meds – but realised i’d been self medicating + dopamine seeking the whole time – sending love. huge step after all that time.”
Meanwhile, Drag Race UK queen Cheryl said: “I’ve tried coming off mine but I’m not just there yet to. I’m working hard but you’re honesty constantly inspires me.”
His co-star Sian Welby wrote: “Oh mate well done, this is such a big deal. Start of a new era. So proud of you.”
The former radio host encourages people to speak out and seek help if they have depression (Image: Getty)
The star has been open about his struggles with mental health, using his platform to shed light on the challenges many face.
In the documentary Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency, he revealed that he came close to attempting suicide after battling depression for 13 years. Later, in Roman Kemp: The Fight for Young Lives, he shared that his struggle began at the age of 15 and that he had been taking sertraline, an antidepressant, for 12 years.
Speaking on Steph’s Packed Lunch he once said: “I’ve had a lot of troubles of my own, I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts, I’ve been on anti-depressants for 15 years of my life. I feel that, sometimes, if my brain gets in a situation where it feels like it’s been beaten up by Mike Tyson, I feel like I’m in a boxing ring and not had one boxing lesson.”
Kemp encourages people to be open and honest about their mental health struggles, particularly those younger. He added: “Talking about mental health needs to start earlier than when we get to 16 and we’re doing PSHE.
“It has to be engrained into lessons and it has to be engrained into schools… as early as possible. Understanding that talking is something that can help us. It’s about teaching kids and showing kids these are the tools you need so that when you come up against these demons, you’ll be able to knock them out the park, you’ll be able to deal with them, you’ll be able to talk about them.
“Unfortunately, when people reach the age of 16, particularly boys, they make a conscious decision of how much they’re going to let someone in. No matter how many chats they have, they’ll always hold something back. It’s about being able to engrain that talking about feelings and looking out for trigger points, looking out for your mates is something that needs to happen in schools from that earlier age.”