Professor Green’s Documentary on losing his father to suicide

During this documentary, British rapper Professor Green (whose real name is Stephen Manderson), goes on an intensely personal journey to uncover the truth behind his father’s suicide. Tormented by the loss of his estranged father seven years prior, Stephen now wants to confront how his dad came to the point of taking his life, through learning about his childhood, his family, and through speaking to experts in the field to understand the factors that may have contributed to his father’s death.  

The documentary tackles the subject of suicide amongst men under 45 and Stephen hopes that by sharing his experience, he can encourage men to be vocal about their mental health. Men often feel as if they must portray a tough image, and this can often make it harder for them to open-up and seek help.

Stephen meets with Rory O’Connor, a leading researcher in suicide prevention and suicidal behaviour, to help him understand how his father may have been feeling in his final years. It is clear that there are often multiple factors that contribute to someone taking their own life, however one thing that this documentary highlights is the importance of seeking help early, rather than waiting till crisis point. In the film Stephen speaks to organisations such as CALM and the May Tree Retreat in East London to explore the support that would have been available to his father and is now available to others who are feeling suicidal. 

Talking openly about his loss for the first time during the documentary was beneficial to Stephen’s healing process. We always encourage open and honest conversations around suicide bereavement, and mental health in general, as this can help you feel less isolated and less alone in your grief and mental health struggles.