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RADIO AND TV PRESENTER ROMAN KEMP HAS SHARED HE HASN'T RECEIVED ANY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE FROM HIS OPEN LETTER CALLING FOR MORE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN SCHOOLS 21:11, 11 Sep 2023Updated

11:47, 12 Sep 2023 Roman Kemp has shared that he hasn't received a government response from his open letter on mental health. The TV and radio host wrote a letter calling for mental

health support in 100% of school. Yet he says he hasn't had any contact from "anyone that's in any power right now". Roman was left heartbroken in August 2020 with the

sudden death of his friend and Capital FM co-worker, Joe Lyons, who took his own life aged 31. In a powerful open letter addressed to the government, the star revealed he had struggled with

suicidal thoughts when he was a teenager. Roman has urged children to be taught more about mental health struggles and the support options that are out there in order to help others find the

help that they need. In the letter shared on his social media accounts, Roman said it was time to “treat it like the pandemic that it is”, and went on to share his own battle with

debilitating depression. However the son of 80s pop icon Martin Kemp, said he is yet to hear from the government. READ MORE: Ninja drops price of best-selling £200 air fryer to £96 in flash

deal - but you only have until midnight Speaking on The News Agents podcast, Roman shared: "I know the Labour Party had had a part of their manifesto where they said that they would

want to put mental health support teams in 100% of schools. But I haven't had a letter from anyone that's in any power right now, which is interesting. To be totally honest with

you when I when I first tried to reach out and speak to the current Mental Health Secretary [Minister] I was rejected, and I wasn't allowed to speak to them... Maria Caulfield.

Basically, I wasn't allowed a meeting with her. Which is fine, that does happen. They're busy people. But seeing as I haven't got any response, I'm starting to wonder,

'Oh, is this a conversation they're wanting to avoid?'" Article continues below He added: "Currently, the government have agreed to say, our target is 36% of schools

in the UK having a mental health support team. Now, in my own opinion, I wasn't very good at school. But if I went into an exam, and my teacher said to me, what are you aiming for? And

I said, 36, I'm pretty sure I would have been told that's not good enough. All I'm asking for is that target to change from 36 to 100%. I'm also not asking for a date

that this has to be done by. I'm just asking for formal promise. And so far, as I say, I've had no response." In response, MP Maria Caulfield told The Mirror: "We have

checked and we have not received a letter or email from Roman but I have seen his letter he posted on Twitter a few days ago which was to all MPs . We want to engage and work with everyone

who has a keen interest in helping us reduce suicide rates in England and have some fantastic support from a wide range of charities and organisations across the country. I will be

responding to Roman's letter he posted on Twitter and it would be great to have his support too in the cross government work we are doing to reduce suicide rates overall." In his

letter, Roman said: "At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with depression and experienced suicidal thoughts for the first time. I would regularly find myself struggling to get through each

day. I know first-hand that, even if people like myself are lucky enough to have a loving, privileged and tight-knit family, that isn't always enough. Proper support needs to be in

place for those who need it, and the sad reality is that in 2023, it's often individuals and charities who are trying to cover the gaps in a system that is becoming increasingly

overwhelmed.” Article continues below Roman called for more Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools, and said he believed it “would make a big difference”, and added: “MHSTs provide

much needed care for young people as well as helping teachers, parents and carers identify issues as early as possible. Crucially, they also give kids back the hope that they feel is lost.”

“Today, if a child walks into school with a broken ankle, a cut face or any other physical issue, school is a place that can help them. However, if a child walks into a school with feelings

of depression, anxiety or wanting to take their own life, their already stretched school might not have the training or time to properly support them,” Roman explained. “I am not pressing

for a target date, merely asking for that commitment to be made, with proper review and determination." _FOLLOW MIRROR CELEBS ON __SNAPCHAT __, __INSTAGRAM __, __TWITTER __, __FACEBOOK

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