University Mental Health Day: Roman Kemp visits Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University has hosted a talk with radio presenter and television personality Roman Kemp for University Mental Day to help tackle the mental health crisis amongst students.

University Mental Health Day was on Thursday 4 March, a campaign created by mental health charity Student Minds and University Mental Health Advisors Network to raise awareness of mental health in higher education.

In a study carried out in autumn 2021, it was found that 43% of participants said they needed support to manage their wellbeing and less than 50% felt able to manage the pressures of university life, urging that more must be done to prevent more damage.

Nottingham Trent University hosted an event called NTU Talks at its students’ union.

“72% experienced mental health issues, only 38% reached out”
Zoe Mallet, NTSU Vice-president and wellbeing officer 

The event allowed students to hear from welfare officer Zoe Mallet about the services that are available at the university and that more students must seek help.

Zoe discovered that despite 72% of students experiencing mental health issues, only 38% reached out.

She is trying to make more students feel comfortable about mental health by reassuring students that she is there for everyone always.

Everyone has mental health and it is as important to look after as our physical health as if not it can sometimes lead to mental illness, experiencing things like breakdowns, suicidal thoughts or manic episodes.
There is always support out there for you.

— Zoë Mallett (@NTSUvpCOMMUNITY) May 11, 2021

Roman Kemp discussed his battles with depression and thoughts regarding taking his own life. He strongly believes this is something that should be spoken about and taught from a young age after he found out that fewer than two per cent of schools are involved in child mental health support.

He said: “We should have been learning this since we were five, from preschool.” He added that it was all about prevention.

Video: Roman Kemp talks about how prevention is key

Molly Tapster, a Nottingham Trent student, attended the NTU Talks event and said she was not aware of the mental services provided at university and has concerns that mental health is still not spoken about enough, especially at university.

Audio: Molly Tapster says more needs to be done to prevent mental health problems

However, Molly said that Nottingham Trent’s hosting this event was a step in the right direction as she found the talk inspiring and beneficial, especially by having Roman Kemp there.

“It really helped show that everyone is the same even someone who is in the public eye, it showed me that everyone goes through the same issues.

“You can idolise someone but they can still go through the exact same problems as everyone else.”