Chris Kamara Launches Mental Health Campaign on Guernsey, Cites Ben Shephard's Help

Football pundit Chris Kamara has spoken about how television presenter Ben Shephard's encouragement helped him overcome suicidal thoughts during a period of deep depression. Kamara, diagnosed in 2018 with the neurological condition apraxia, which affects speech and thought processes, launched a new mental health campaign on the Channel Island of Guernsey.

The initiative, named 'Here for C.H.R.I.S' (Calm, Helpful, Reassuring and Inviting Space), aims to encourage more men to seek help for their mental health struggles. Kamara revealed that his own depression, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, led him to contemplate suicide. He struggled in silence for 18 months, feeling like a burden, a sentiment echoed in research by Visit Guernsey that found over a quarter of UK men are hesitant to discuss their mental health with friends and family.

Kamara stated that Shephard consistently checked in on him and eventually persuaded him to seek therapy. "I got well with Ben Shephard's help - he was marvellous," Kamara said. "He kept phoning me up to see how I was and eventually I saw a therapist."

Shephard recommended a treatment that Kate Garraway had previously sought for her late husband, Derek Draper. This led Kamara to undergo experimental magnetic field and radio frequency treatment at the NeuroCytonix clinic, which he found to be immensely helpful.

The campaign, a partnership between Visit Guernsey and Guernsey Mind, aligns with research indicating that a third of men would feel more comfortable opening up about mental health in a neutral environment, such as on holiday. The 'Here for C.H.R.I.S' initiative involves training staff at various establishments on the island, including bars and restaurants, to recognize individuals in mental health crisis and offer immediate support.

Kamara also reflected on the profound impact of losing two close friends, former Wales manager Gary Speed and boxer Ricky Hatton, to suicide. "I lost two close friends. Gary Speed and Ricky Hatton were my two big pals," he shared. "When Ricky died, he seemed in as good a shape mentally as I've known him for a while but you don't know. You've got no idea what's going on inside someone's head, unless they tell you."

He elaborated that his fear of judgment over his slower speech fueled his depression. "I was frightened. I thought that once I revealed I was going through stuff, people might turn their backs on me. It was the opposite, and that's what we want to say: speak to someone and there will be a way out."

Sam Claxton, Marketing Manager at VisitGuernsey, praised Kamara's involvement, noting his openness about his experiences and background in professional sports, an area often associated with a stigma around mental health issues. The 'No Man is an Island' campaign, of which 'Here for C.H.R.I.S' is a part, aims to encourage male travelers to visit Guernsey for a much-needed break.

Kamara expressed his enthusiasm for Guernsey, describing it as beautiful and a place he intends to revisit with his wife. The initiative hopes to expand its reach across the UK. For confidential support, the Samaritans can be reached 24/7 at 116 123 in the UK. More information on the 'Here for C.H.R.I.S' campaign is available at visitguernsey.com.