Sam Thompson has heaped praise on his therapist, as he opens up about his own mental health experience and hopes to normalise talking about the subject
Sam Thompson reveals we should be “normalising” conversations around mental health. The TV star who found fame on E4’s Made In Chelsea has spoken openly about seeking therapy treatment.
The 33-year-old had his therapist help him avoid internalising his emotions and navigate tough times. But it’s not just Sam’s therapist that he leans on; his sister Louise, who is also his neighbour, is always on hand to offer her support and a listening ear when he needs it.
While the discussion around men’s mental health is no longer as taboo as it once was, the topic is still rarely spoken about so openly. Sam believes that this shouldn’t be the case and instead, we should normalise not just men talking about how they feel, but everybody.
“I think it’s just normalising those sorts of conversations,” Sam told the Mirror. He added: “I actually think you don’t always need to see a therapist – sometimes you just need to see a friend, or a family member, or a colleague. Talking is the therapy, not so much the therapist.
“I think the speaking, for me personally, is what does it. Getting it out of me, I come to the conclusion without my therapist. They’re just amazing listeners, and they sort of guide you to your own decisions. But I sometimes get there myself, and I’ve got this friend of mine, James Dunmore, and I’ll be like ‘Hey man, we’re going for a Nando’s, on me,’ and he goes ‘Oh for God sake,’ because he knows I’m about to just load on him and moan for two hours.”
Sam went on to praise his own therapist, saying: “She’s amazing, she’s a savage – she’ll turn around and tell me everything that’s wrong! She’s just like, ‘You’re wrong there,’ I sometimes need that because I’m like ‘, No, I’m right!'”
Arguably one of the busiest chaps in entertainment, Sam is no stranger to getting his hands dirty, but this year, he’s shifting his priorities, and instead of taking on every project, he’s saying “No” for the first time.
He said: “My New Year’s resolution was to spend more time with my family because I didn’t spend much time with them last year because I was just so busy, and the year before that. As well as taking all the amazing opportunities I’m lucky enough to get, [my resolution] is to actually say no more.
“I’m a ‘Yes’ man, and I say yes to everything and I want to say ‘No’ more, so everything now, starts with no – it’s a flat no, unless it’s something I would actually like to do, then it becomes a maybe.” One project he instantly jumped on was Celebrity Sabotage, which he says is a “great show”.
“Me and Pete, we’re trying to go on another mini podcast tour,” Sam revealed, before hinting that he’s also lined up another television project for later this year. One work project Sam will forever be proud of is his work on Hits Radio, and although he’s interviewed some of the biggest stars including Brad Pitt and Tom Hiddleston, as well as presented Hits Live, the most important aspect for him is the listener.
“I don’t do radio for any other reason,” he laughed, adding that he records a podcast three times a week. “I don’t need to talk anymore,” he said. Sam added: “he only reason I do radio is because it gets me in touch with people faster than anything else I do. It gets me talking to people faster than TV, faster than podcasting, you are live talking to them immediately, and they can respond to you immediately by texting in and calling in, and I love that, and so I love being able to feel like I have a family.”
This year, Sam is returning to Soccer Aid again, something he will never take for granted. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. He added: “Two years ago, I got asked, and then I thought, ‘That is probably the only time I’ll get asked, I’m grateful,’ but this is my third time, I can’t believe it, whenever they ask I’m like ‘Oh my God!'”
However, it never gets less nerve-racking stepping out onto the pitch. Sam said: “The first, Stamford Bridge was two years ago, I was so nervous, and I was starting the game, the whistle went, and it’s so tiring. Your adrenaline is just pumping. The second time, I only got about five minutes because of my calf, but it’s a brilliant feeling.”
Last year, Sam embarked on a mammoth 260-mile endurance challenge for Soccer Aid, racing across the country, which saw him raise £1.5million for the charity. “I think it was the proudest moment of my life to be honest,” Sam said. He added: “‘ve never done it and I don’t know if I ever will do anything like that again, of that note, I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity.
“The amount of people who could have done it, and they asked me, I was just so, I can’t believe they asked me, and when I tore the calf, I thought I’d let everyone down. Being able to finish that, everyone rallying around, Pete coming, Ryan my brother-in-law and Tony Bellew, it was so beautiful.”
Sam went on to explain that despite the weather being awful, he was “battered and broken” when the “backbone of the country,” the public, showed up at Old Trafford to support him across the finish line. “I really genuinely believe that people are inherently really good people,” he commented.
As part of his work with Soccer Aid for UNICEF, Sam has visited Guatemala for a documentary and seen where the money is spent. For Sam, he acknowledged that he was trying to raise as much money in a time when people were struggling financially. “I want to feel whatever is happening, I want to be present,” he said.
He went on to add: “That contrast, trying not to actually produce anything and whatever happens, happens, but the moment you land, you meet the kids, little Danny, who I think about all the time, it’s so pure. Then, I’m going to all the centres, these centres are in the middle of nowhere, four hours out of Guatemala City, there’s a UNICEF centre.
“They can only run from what is given to them. It was such a magical thing and made you realise how big an entity this is. It’s one huge beast of beauty; it was amazing.” Tickets for Soccer Aid start at just £10 for children this year. “Those donations are the most important donations,” Sam said.
He explained that the children he met in Guatemala are “super positive,” explaining: “That is one of the most inspiring things. You go there and think it’s going to be sad, but it’s anything but sad. The conditions are really tough, but you see the hope in these kids’ eyes and the brightness in their future, it’s awe-inspiring. You leave with your cup so much fuller than when you got there.”
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday, 31st May at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10: socceraid.org.uk/tickets
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