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Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency

OverlyAnxious
OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,587 Disability Gamechanger
Just a heads up for anyone that missed this.  Was a really open & honest program covering the topic of male suicide.  Definitely worth a watch if you haven't already.  It's still available through iPlayer.

There was also a program about the Life & Death of Caroline Flack on Channel 4 last night.  Again, another very interesting watch on a similar topic.  That's available on catchup now.

Comments

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,741 Disability Gamechanger
    Ooh @OverlyAnxious I was going to mention this too.  I watched it and found it so powerful.  Roman Kemp's experiences, losing his best friend and his own struggles, made it a really authentic programme.  He wasn't afraid to strip it all back and speak from the heart about the hard times and I really applaud him for that.

    I'm going to watch the Caroline Flack documentary over the weekend but think it will be hard going.  I still can't believe she's gone :(  
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  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    I have recorded the roman Kemp will watch it this afternoon 

    I watched the Caroline flack was impressed with her mum and twin sister who could acknowledge the troubles she had throughout 

    I dont know why but her suicide really hit a nerve with me 

    Someone who looked so happy and full of life and appeared to have it all but deep down was a very different story . Tragic loss 
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Community member Posts: 3,127 Connected
    Always been a fan of Roman. I find he is always open and honest. 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    @MarkN88

    Roman and martin are on next week doing the DNA journey programme next wed I think 
  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,524 Disability Gamechanger
    Its a sad fact that suicide is the biggest cause of death in men aged between 24-45, I openly admit that I attempted to take my own life in my 40's I was lucky and lived to tell the tale, but it could have been so different apparently another 6 or 7 more tablets and I wouldn't be here today.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,964 Disability Gamechanger
    @woodbine I am sorry to hear that but pleased it was a failed attempt and you are still around to share your story and your input on here 
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Community member Posts: 3,127 Connected
    @janer1967 yeah I will be watching!
  • Lisatho11987777
    Lisatho11987777 Scope Member Posts: 5,911 Disability Gamechanger
    I got realy upset when Caroline flack committed suicide she was on my twitter  I was shocked on twitter she talked about her mental health 
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
    I'm sorry to read that you got to a stage where you did that @woodbine, but I'm delighted that you're still with us and seem to be in a better place mentally these days.

    Topics like this can cause us to reflect on the darkest moments in our lives, so I thank you for openly discussing something that must be hard to recall.

    At the time, did you ever get help and support for how you felt?
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  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,524 Disability Gamechanger
    @Ross_Scope tbh the hospital were shocking all the staff gave me the impression that I was wasting their time and they had better things to do, the following day they just said right you can go now, no mention of any help going forward which I had to seek help with from my then GP.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,652 Disability Gamechanger
    That's sad to hear @woodbine,, I do hope that understanding and awareness has improved at hospitals since then. 

    I hope the support you received from your GP helped.
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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,587 Disability Gamechanger
    I can't speak for hospitals, but I found the same with adult mental health services.  Unless you're actually about to do it, you're just seen as time wasting and told to distract yourself until it passes.

    They also rely heavily on trusting a person to say how likely they are to do something.  It's so easy to say 'no' convincingly...


    That said, I don't know what anyone could say or do to help when I get that low myself.  I generally don't want to be here, and am really not fussed if I get hit by a bus this afternoon, but can usually push through most days with that feeling being 'passive'.  However some days just seem totally unmanageable, often partly due to my physical issues, and that's when I start making plans...those days have become more frequent since the pandemic.  I'd never contact anyone during those times, as I'm so sure there is only one path ahead at that point.  In my case, there are notable reasons for it...long term health issues, unable to work, virtually no real life socialising and a fairly low quality of life at the moment, but what surprises me is just how many other people, guys especially, have the same feelings, despite appearing outwardly to have a 'good' life and a future ahead of them.
  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,524 Disability Gamechanger
    @OverlyAnxious you hit the nail on the head, being unable to work (man or woman) rips something out of you deep down, I know I go through periods when I feel useless and I often ask myself "what good are you really doing here"?). But then I think of my immediate family and answer my own question by saying yup I do have a purpose in life.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • Lisatho11987777
    Lisatho11987777 Scope Member Posts: 5,911 Disability Gamechanger
    My first attempt of suicide was when I was 16  I got lots of help probably because I was young I was 21 the second time and spent three weeks in hospital 12 months counciling 3rd attempt last year had lots of help and support both in England and Wales 

    Would I do it again I don't know I wouldn't say I would but I couldn't say 100 per cent I wouldn't 

    The question they asked me was why did I do it and I couldn't answer  because when I did it I hadn't planned it I hadn't thought about it it just happened but I have long term affects now from it  so I have a constant reminder 

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