Last night on A Current Affair, Bert and Patti Newton talked to Tracey Grimshaw about Matthew’s drug addiction and mental illness. The full 30 minute interview can be seen on the A Current Affair website here.
When Channel 7 announced Matthew Newton as the new host of their biggest show of the year, X Factor, immediately after he left rehab, I expressed some surprise and some disappointment. Today, less than a week before the show’s premiere, Matthew Newton has been sacked from that job, admitted himself back to rehab and his fiance has taken out an AVO after he allegedly assaulted her a number of times in Australia and overseas.
MATT Newton’s former girlfriend Rachael Taylor has applied for an apprehended violence order against the Channel 7 star, alleging she was the victim of “two unprovoked violent assaults.’
Matthew Newton with ex-fiance Rachel Taylor
The actress says she fears “for her personal safety, well being and security following events – both in Australia and while on a recent holiday in Rome, Italy.”
Ms Taylor alleges that “This action follows a series of gravely serious incidents, including and not limited to two unprovoked violent assaults, which (she claims) occurred on the 13th and 14th August, 2010, while Ms Taylor was in Rome.
It is understood she sustained serious injuries consistent with blows to the face and body after a public altercation between the couple in the foyer of a hotel. Sources claim police were called to the scene, but no charges were laid.
Last night Seven confirmed Newton was back in rehab and would be replaced as the host of X Factor
Taylor said in a statement released today:
“After much consideration and struggle I have made this personal decision to send a clear public message that violence, threats, abuse and intimidation are not acceptable and should be dealt with by the full capacity of the law.”
Taylor has instructed her Sydney-based barrister Christine Nash to represent her during this and any related court appearances.
The couple had been on a private holiday in Rome, while Taylor was on a break from filming thriller, The Darkest Hour in Moscow.
He was en route to filming segments in Dublin for Seven’s The X-Factor but was escorted home “to the care of his family” by a producer.
I’ve written about Matthew Newton several times here on Mamamia. Ever since the incident with his former girlfriend Brooke Satchell when he was charged with assaulting her, I have believed he is a troubled individual who should not be working in the entertainment industry until he seeks treatment for his issues. And acting is one thing but a TV host? I always thought that was a mistake.
When Channel 7 gave him the plum job as host of it’s huge new family show X-Factor, I published a piece by TV writer Andrew Mercado who wrote:
It’s such a shame because Seven is one of the nicest networks to watch and work with. But decisions like this make me feel ill at the double standards. I’m not suggesting that Matthew Newton never work in the industry again. He’s admitted to his mistakes and done something about it.
He has proved himself to be a successful actor, director and scriptwriter, particularly with his movie Three Blind Mice. Give him a job on City Homicide (although I’d prefer Seven first hire some of the cast of Hey Dad to prove there’s no hard feelings) . It’s all about timing and is Newton the most suitable choice to host an inspirational talent show for impressionable viewers or the best at getting publicity – good, bad or ugly. “
At the time, I strongly agreed. I think it was irresponsible of Channel 7 to hire someone who was, by their own admission, struggling with addiction mere days after he had completed a few weeks in rehab. Anyone with any knowledge of addiction understands that recovery and treatment is a long and complicated process. There are set-backs. And those who are newly ‘clean’ after a period of treatment are (to my understanding), advised to avoid situations of high stress that could see them relapse.
Taking on such an instense, high profile job was always going to be a huge risk for Matthew Newton when it came to maintaining his sobriety. And what about the risk Channel 7 was taking with hiring someone with a past that involved a charge for assaulting his girlfriend and holding him up as one of their biggest new stars?
Newton on the set of X Factor
Last night Channel 7 denied knowledge of the physical clash between their signing and his former girlfriend.
He has returned to a rehabilitation clinic, withdrawing from his TV host duties “on medical advice.” Newton’s manager Titus Day of 6 Degrees Management confirmed he has terminated their working relationship.In a statement, Day said: “Degrees is no longer representing Matthew in a management capacity. We are not prepared to comment further other than to say that Matthew is a wonderful talent and we wish him well at this time and for the future.”
Newton had been on holiday with the Transformers star last Sunday before he was expected to film segments with X Factor mentor Ronan Keating in the Irish singer’s home town.
A FremantleMedia source said “on arrival in Dublin it was decided that Matthew needed to return to Australia to the care of his family”. A Seven spokeswoman said: “Matthew had a strong commitment to the program and has tried his utmost to make it work. He has the support of his family and friends as he works his way back to full health.”
The hosting role on Seven’s marquee talent search show was regarded as Newton’s second chance to overcome his personal demons. His public image has taken a battering since 2006, when he was charged with intimidating and assaulting his then-girlfriend, actress Brooke Satchwell.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault but the conviction was then quashed a year later. Last year he agreed to pay $9000 in damages to a Kings Cross hotel room booked in Taylor’s name.
No police charges were laid and he denied being responsible for the damage. In March, he was ejected from a Melbourne hotel after staff discovered $4000 worth of damage to the room and bathroom during his three-week stay. Newton said the room was “fine” when he checked out.
Last month he told Seven’s sister publication New Idea he was a “work in progress” and had sought treatment “in the hope of becoming a happier, better person”. The latest controversy is a disaster for Seven’s X Factor, which is due to make its multi-million dollar debut next Monday night. The network is yet to decide how it will deal with pre-recorded footage of Newton.
Many commenters on that first Matthew Newton post insisted I was being judgemental. That everyone makes mistakes. Why shouldn’t he get another chance? they said. Why not indeed. Well, while this is a terrible situation for all involved, I maintain that it was clear to many people that Matthew Newton’s patterns of behaviour were not going to be fixed by a few weeks in rehab and then a huge, high profile gig.
To those who will inevitably say in the comments: it’s the media’s fault, you’re making it worse by writing about it, just give him some privacy? When you sign up to be the host of a big budget TV show, you make that decision and you take that risk. You put your life into play to some degree.
This is clearly a man with a huge number of problems. My question is this: what do Channel 7 do now? What SHOULD they do?
The X Factor is being positioned for the Masterchef and Idol audience as family entertainment. Much of the show has already been filmed and he’s all over it. Will you be watching with your family?
And when will we stop enabling celebrities to behave in utterly unacceptable – and possibly criminal – ways? And rewarding them if we think they’ll bring ratings?
Where are you on this?
Comments
409 Comments so far
I found an article that I’d like to share with you:
http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/bruised-women-fade-to-black-in-newton-saga-20100908-150og.html#comments
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I agree with Tracey Spicer and Andrew Bolt re the whole sad Matthew Newton saga. The poor man is very very sick – healthy stable minded people do not punch women to the ground – and yet his parents only have one thing on their minds – protecting Berts career and reputation, which has obviously been their prime focus for Matthew’s entire life. They even admitted that Matthew would not be happy with them appearing on TV. Perhaps Australia, they are the source of all his problems..hhhhmmm????
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Tracey Spicer wrote an interesting piece on this in one of the Sunday papers yesterday. I love her writing.
She says a Psychiatrist explained that he has a personality disorder that stems from not being taught as a child how to handle conflict. He still deals with conflict as a child often does – by hitting.
To me this just screams that his parents were too busy being famous and into themselves to be bothered with doing more than the bare minimum parenting. Patti’s comments conclude that.
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Dear All
When the newtons said ‘Patti is an only child and I am from a family of 6 we are both from great families’ Well if that was so how could you raise a child that has done that.
Further more I think the real issue is that Bert is from a controlling family, has issues there and is actually a homosexual and got married so he could pursue his career and be successful as in the older days it was all forbiddeen unlike now. I think Patti should be honest as the real reason she got married to him was so she could have the high life and hence the failed marriage.I beleive Bert in so insecure about his sexuality which is why him and his wife would have put pressure on his children to have the image for the media which was all to cover up for his own personal issues of marriage, and his upbringing. He clearly only cares about his ‘career of 60 years’which may be tarnished due to his son’s ‘problem’.
Well Bert deal with the fact that everyone thinks your an idiot and that is not because of your son it is because of you being a selfish parent. mat is a great actor much more talented than his father and is a more sincere person unlike his selfish parents.Sure Mat like everyone has his faults but I believe that you are going to get better because people think your amazing and I am one of them and I am praying that you will see that alot of the problem from your behaviour is not you BUT YOUR PARENTS! Dont let there problems affact your life. Its not your problem that they are screwed up and selfish with a failed marriage and fake friends ITS THEIR FAULT!I will keep you and this situation in my prayers
Jo
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Yep. Google reina.michaelson.newton
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Why do we always have to make things more complicated then they really are? I think Mathew Newton is a spoilt brat that has never had to suffer the consequences of his actions, that he has had a family that has ‘fixed’ things and excused his behaviour. He is 33 it’s about time his parents stopped finding excuses and make him face up to his mistakes without making excuses that he has a mental health illness, I find that offensive to people who have mental health illnesses.
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At the end of the interview Tracey Grimshaw advised viewers of a helpline to call if you were suffering or knew anyone who was suffering from a mental illness.
She did not give out a number for women who were stuggling as victims of domestic violence.
Just sayin’…
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As a commenter elsewhere said, it’s funny how Matthew’s ‘psychotic episodes’ never seem to take place in a bar full of bikies – he only ever takes out his anger on inanimate objects and small women.
What I’d like to know is, why is Matthew carrying so much anger, and why on earth are so many media outlets trying to make us feel sorry for the man? And he IS a man, not a wayward teenager.
If your mum, your sister, your girlfriend or your daughter was beaten up by a 33-year-old man I highly doubt your first reaction would be to say, “Oh, the poor bloke, he must really be struggling”…
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What a crock of shit?!? Who gives a flying fritata about Matthew Newton and his freaky parents – so much emphasis is placed on ‘the error of his ways’ and his apparent substance abuse – he seems like an angry, disturbed, poor excuse of a man who uses his ‘mental issues’ to explain his aggressive, abusive behaviour towards women. I think he’s a fairly slimy character at the best of times, so when the media flood erupted after this last abusive incident, it was hardly surprising considering he’s done it before – it was just more surprising that he landed the position on the x factor in the 1st place – seriously, what a crock!!!
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What self-serving, horrible, souless, parents. I do not know why you would feel sorry for these two. Patti explained the reason for the interview was because she didn’t want this issue to tarnish Bert’s career. When they got teary it was for themselves and not their son. They did this behind his back when they should be supporting him not worrying about their image, it is pathetic. No wonder he turned out the way he did with parents like that…
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I couldn’t watch the whole interview, I found it very upsetting.
I wonder why his parents chose to speak on public television, I wonder what they thought it would achieve.
It seems like they have no influence over him anymore and maybe even when he was younger didn’t have much either.
It is a shame that he wasn’t given professional help when he was younger.
Most of all I feel very sorry for his victims. I hope they are getting help also.
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Yes I agree. What is strange to understand is that we know that there is no strong link between violence and mental illness. Yet the message from interview with Tracy Grimshore seems to be that there is indeed a link between mental illness and violence. I find it absurd that all those with mental illness have to cop this media blunder which adds to stigma. Newton’s problem is one of drugs and substance abuse. I am not saying that he does not suffer from mood swings but violence is strongly correlated to drugs and alcohol consumption and this is a statistical fact.
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this interview makes me feel somewhat sorry for him. i would be so annoyed with my parents if they discussed me on such a dodgy show as a current affair or any TV show for that matter.
he needs help, but discussing on TV is only going to alienate him further from his family.
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Everyone’s talking about his mental problems and support etc but from what I’ve read his mental problems are that he gets agressive when he overdoes the drugs and alcohol. It was reported that he’s a frequent user of many drugs especially “ice” so most of the mental issues could be as a result of this ? Or does it not matter if he’s done most of it to himself ? I just find it a bit hard to have a lot of sympathy for him – I think his victims and family deserve it more.
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I wonder if the mental issues were there before the drugs. I think probably they were…
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A lot of people with mental health issues self medicate with drugs and alcohol. Yes, I know that this makes it worse but to someone with an altered state of mind, it makes perfect sense. The drugs make their condition worse so they often use more drugs! It is a sad and vicious cycle which is why mental health needs to be talked about so that people can understand it better. Through knowledge comes power.
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I found the interview gut wrenching. My heart went out to both Bert & Patti. Just so sad. But why oh why didn’t they just be honest & say what I know a lot of people suspect…..that his “mental illness” was bought on by poly drug use. Why not talk about drug addiction AND it’s terrible consequences including psychosis & other mental health issues. In my humble opinion I always thought Matthew newton is one of the best actors this country has seen. Which makes it all the more tragic.
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From what they described I’m not so sure it was brought on by poly drug use – it sounds like he has had issues for a long time and from an early age. But drugs are one way of dealing with, and can certainly exacerbate, any existing mental illness or personality disorder.
My main concern is still the women that have been hurt by him and I don’t believe that any explanation can make what has happened OK. I do have empathy for him and his family though.
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While I do have some degree of pity for him, I feel even more sorry for the people he has abused, such as his ex girlfriends. Clearly this man needs help. If he seeks it and spends enough time in rehab as is needed, and is on the mend, well then he should be able to return to his career. I think though, that being in the public eye, he will always have this stigma following him for the rest of his life. Its a shame, from someone who showed so much promise.
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hmmm… we know he’s got serious issues – drink and drug addiction, yeah ok right.. but beating up women? Why? If you were violent and disturbed wouldn’t you just pick a fight with anyone, anywhere? So why the girlfriends? What did he experience in his childhood that would’ve f%&ked his head up so badly? That’s misogyny isn’t it. You can’t help the screw being loose or the chemical imbalances in the brain, but the demons he’s talking about are targeted at women who show him love…I’m not a shrink but I’m just thinking out loud here.
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Mental illness isnt that simple.
He gets abusive to the ones he loves (who happen to be mainly female… im sure he’s yelled and screamed at Bert too), not just “women who show him love”. If the people who are meant to love you and look after you dont understand you, who else is going to? So you get angry at them. It’s THEIR fault. Some random stranger in the street knows nothing about you and hasnt failed you, so why would you hurt them?
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Such an awful situation. It’s so hard for everyone who loves someone with a mental illness. My thoughts are with them.
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Bipolar disorder is complex and finding a way to manage it even harder!! My husband has bipolar and it has taken him 15 years to get to a place where he is able to recognise the signs of a manic episode and adjust his anti psychotic medication accordingly. Miss the signs for more than 24 hours and he goes into a fully blown psychotic episode that can last weeks (even though he takes his regular mood stabilisers daily) People need to understand, it is not just about meds, it is about behaviour recognition which takes years to master. Also, once manic, the patient feels on top of the world and it is near impossible to medicate as they do not want the feeling to end.
Another point is that bipolar does not present until a patient is in their teens, which is usually the time they are experimenting with drugs and alchol. As a result, many parents blame the changes in mood on drugs or hormones. Also, patients find that their lows (depressions) can be self medicated with drugs and their highs (manias) made even better with drugs which just makes everything worse!
So while I am not excusing Matthews behaviour, please understand that there is more at play here. So, I do agree with you Mia, it was very irresponsible of channel 7 to hire him in such a vulnerable position!
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Here here to everything you just said anon.
Violence is unacceptable, but I also think there is a lot more going on here.
I was very cynical when I saw the ads about their TV appearance, but (having watched the interview in full) I think Bert and Patti just look like any bewildered parents.
Dealing with loved ones who have a mental illness is really traumatic, especially during the years where you are trying to get help/a diagnoses and it is very hard to find advice on the best thing to do for your loved one.
I think many people will remain cynical about what they did or didn’t do for their son, but knowing how hard the mental health system is to deal with, I can understand how it has come to this. No amount of money or privilege can help you if you are not properly diagnosed – Mental illness is a real social leveler – it does not discriminate regarding class, wealth, gender, race or religion.
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Poor Bert…he seems like he’s bumbling a bit.
Patty is much more articulate. Bert seems genuinely baffled and saddened by Matthew’s behaviour.
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I don’t know Matt, nor his family personally, but I feel for all of them. No excuse for Matt’s behaviour – he’s coming across as an absolute pig of a man – but perhaps there’s more to it.
Mental illness doesn’t necessary equate to violence, but it often equates to increased drug and alcohol use, which can in turn lead to mood swings and violence.
Poor Rachael, who obviously loves the guy and has to deal with what’s happened, and the fact that he’s not the man for her. And poor Bert and Patti, who are no doubt torn between the love they feel for their son, and the shame over his actions.
And I can’t help feeling a little sorry for Matt, who is clearly very f****d up and will live with his actions for the rest of his life. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does attempt suicide.
As Bert and Patti said, there are no winners. Incredibly sad.
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While I feel empathy for Newton, he continually chooses to put himself in situations that are dangerous for him and the people around him, and he needs to be held responsible.
Regardless of whether Newton assaulted Taylor while he was in a psychotic episode, It was negligent of Newton to travel all over the world, away from his doctors and regular routine, when he was unstable.
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Is anyone able to help me out by supplying the email address for group therapy. The contact page link isn’t working.
Thanks
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you can send a message to info@mamamia.com.au xx
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I think it’s great that at the end of stories about mental illness they advise people where they can go to get help (beyondblue, Lifeline etc), but what about letting those suffering abuse as a result of the illness know where to go for help???
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There are social workers and counselors at every psychiatric hospital for family and loved ones. I have a family member who is currently at a psych ward and the counselors called me to make an appointment. It is government funded.
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Contacting your local community mental health team can be useful too – they can’t force the person to seek help but they can be a wealth of local information for affected families.
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im with you mia, I wonder how much of the ‘old boy network’ and i’ll scratch your back thing is going on here within channel 7….
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As a victim of domestic violence in a relationship 8 years ago, I would just like to say how proud I am of both Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor for reporting the assaults and bringing this very important issue into the spotlight. I have no interest in watching the ACA interview, but I will say this: I totally agree with a comment below that Bert & Patti should simply state that while they do not condone Matthews actions, they do love him and will do all that they can to help him work through his issues. Take it from someone who has been there – there is nothing worse than a family trying to justify the actions of the abuser… it does absolutely nothing to help the victim. Please lets not forget who the victims are in this – Brooke and Rachael. Bert and Patti are no doubt doing it tough dealing with these issues within their own family, and I respect that – however they need to step back and not make it about themselves.
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I thought they, particularly Pattie, were incredibly brave in last night’s interview. My sis and I both agreed that it seemed like there was so much other stuff that has gone on behind the scenes that perhaps they couldn’t talk about. I thought she was frank and honest and I think she is a mother at her wits end. Imagine having to tell your son’s girlfriend to be careful…you can only wonder what she has witnessed as his Mum that would prompt you to say that about your child.
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I agree it is not only the person with mental illness that suffers (and frighteningly in this situation, his former partners) but also his family. I think families of individuals with mental illness also suffer – in their attempts to do the right thing – in their helplessness in watching someone they love destroy themselves and hurt other people. It must be very distressing. I felt for them both (and of course for his ex-girl-friends who have been at the violent coal-face of it all) – I don’t think it should be an either/or thing. Everyone is hurting here.
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Sorry, what is Patti saying??? “I don’t know that going to Rome was the right thing to do … on a luxury holiday … with so many temptations…”
Err, what temptations? What tempts someone to hit someone else? AndRachel didn’t kidnap him, for goodness’ sake. He bloody chose to go over there!
Sorry, I can’t help but feel that Patti’s blaming the victim a bit there. Other than that they seem shattered, and confused.
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I got the impression she meant it isn’t the right time to holiday from the “reality” of your life when that reality involves serious medication(s), and necessary and regular appointments with psychiatrists and psychologists.
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I wondered if she also meant temptations to use drugs and alcohol, which would be a bad decision given that he already had mental health issues which need regular medication, doctors appointments and counselling with his psychiatrist.
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i agree that it sounded a bit like that too, but was unfortunately timed after she had been speaking about how she “warned” rachel.
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What that interviewed showed to me was that Patti & Bert do not seem very close to Matthew and there is probably not much communication going on between them. He might be the black sheep of the family? And they really are just speculating as well about what is happening.
With that in mind, there are plenty of parents out there that really have no idea who their kid is and what they are up to/going through, and this makes me believe that there is a lot more to this story about Matthew which only he knows about…
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Watching that interview was like watching my parents talking about my own brother. The words they used to describe their grief, shock, turmoil, anger and bewilderment at all their son has done are the same words that come out of my parents mouths.
My brother pushed us all away and ended up in some serious trouble. He only got his crap together when he took responsibility for all that was happening and asked for help. Stop being so judgmental people.
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I agree. Their pain and sense of helplessness was palpable. What a nightmare.
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I wonder how Rachel Taylor’s family must be feeling….
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Part of that nightmare, I can only imagine. Did they do an interview?
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No tastebud probably not. I wasn’t having a go, I agree it is horrible for Bert and Patti…I just feel that all the interest and media seems centered around Matthew and his family’s welfare and how Rachel might be feeling seems quite invisible.
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Good point. I don’t watch the news so I wouldn’t know. But what you say about the imbalanced media interest is pretty unsurprising and only reinforces why I can’t bear to digest mainstream media, ugh.
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Matt Newton is a guy who has made bad decisions and acted like a d!&*
Maybe his parents should take some responsibility. Maybe somewhere in the past there was a moment that they didn’t take that would of stopped him becoming a douche but having said that he is now what 30!! Long gone are the days that Mum and Dad are to blame.
I think Patti was right to say at the end her reasoning for doing the interview. She is 100% right it should in no way dilute what Bert has done in his career over the years and it doesn’t dim the joy he has bought to many through all his performances. Good on her for being honest.
I hope for his family’s sake and for those his actions have hurt that he gets the help he needs and this time actually does the right things!! It’s time to grow up.
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I don’t think you can blame parents for the mental illness of their child.
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I wasn’t blaming them. I was trying to say that if at some point when he was younger and they were told he had an illness and they didn’t address it, then there would be reason to feel like they didn’t do enough. In no way am I implying that that is the case either.
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Rubbish – it has a lot to do with your upbringing and getting to the root of the problem in early childhood issues – I am going through the history of my upbringing now with a psychologist and it is really interesting to know that a lot of my father’s actions had a lot to do with my depression problems of today.
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My brother in law comes from a lovely, middle class, stable family. He is also a paranoid schitzophrenic. Mental illness is not always because of your upbringing.
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As the daughter of the much loved and supported son of a wealthy family who happens to be bipolar, I could not agree more.
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In certain people, a childhood trauma (ie sexual or physical abuse) can lead to a mental disorder such as bipolar. I hope you work through your issues scorpiogirl and well done on getting help!
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Channel 7 have already hired Luke Jacobz and are editing out all traces of Matthew Newton – just like he never existed
when they annouced that he was hosting X factor and later I heard that he had done really well I was SO hoping that he could keep his act together, I doubted he would. I think it is a shame, he is an immense talent – hopefully he will now take the time to recover properly and will be able to return to acting one day
I mourned that he wasn’t hosting the show last night – but Kyle Sandilands soon made the night for me
– I thought it was a great show – I look forward to watching it tonight but will be torn! next week, between Junior MasterChef and X Factor – Junior MasterChef should be screened earlier anyway at a kid-friendly time
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What on earth prompted them to do this interview? I watched it last night and all I could wonder was how could a mother sledge her child so mercilessly – not to mention publicly!
Don’t get me wrong. Clearly Matthew has some serious personal demons to deal with and what the entire family must be going through – and have endured for sometime – is unfathomable. But what Bert and Patti did last night will not help Matt – the one who needs the most help at the moment.
I’m tipping that Matt’s therapist must be thanking Bert and Patti for doing the interview because they’ve just created another 10 years worth of therapy for him to work through. (Ker-ching!)
The clincher for me was at the end when Patti admitted that after a successful career spanning six decades, she didn’t want Bert to be remembered for having a son with issues, rather than for his contribution to TV.
Is this really what’s most important at the moment?
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I thought that last comment was very revealing too.
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perhaps thats why the guy has such issues – his whole life his family has been too concerned about and too busy with their public profile to do the right thing by their son.
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I didn’t watch the interview last night and I won’t watch the online video, but did Bert & Pattie expalin why they granted the interview?
From what I can gather from comments below, they discussed his mental state as a teenager and as an adult. Why?
A few commenters have said they feel sorry for the family, and I do too. It can’t be easy to watch your child go through this kind of experience, but has talking about it to a trashy current affairs program improved the situation? I doubt it.
I just can’t understand why the Newtons have done this interview. It seems wierd and a little icky.
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Yeah that was my overwhelming feeling too. I just watched a few bits of it then and I’m still yet to understand WHY they did it. To me, it would have been more appropriate to release a statement and let that be it as in the interview they neither supported or condemned him…
Before anyone replies, I’m not for one second saying that it wouldn’t have been incredibly tough for them. It’s a nightmare situation, I just don’t understand their reasoning behind the interview…
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I for one am thanking the universe that I am not a Newton. Way to go Bert and Patti! Throw that son under the bus!
Don’t get me wrong, I in no way condone his actions and think he’s pretty revolting quite frankly, but since when does your family rush to the ever classy ACA to report on your mental illnesses? And your mental state at age 14? Disgusting. I know they are in the public eye but surely it’s enough to issue a statement saying that you do not condone his actions but will support him in getting help.
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I guess when your livelihood and sense of identity / achievement revolves around the media, ACA is where you go?
Not to my taste either.
Or from a very benevolent point of view perhaps they think it will raise awareness around mental health?
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I really feel for Bert and Patti. It must be awful to go through what they are experiencing in their family with Matthew. Obviously he is troubled and needs a lot of help.
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So I am going to try an avoid saying my two cents worth about Matthew, his condition and his parents reaction to all this, however I will comment on “When Celebrities Go Wild”.
I am completely over the media trying to use the PR frenzy generated whenever a celebrity “falls from grace” to boost their own ratings.
I was appalled that Channel 7 didn’t seem to think through the possible (and now actual) ramifications of hiring Matty Newton straight out of rehab, or when Ben Cousins was so easily accepted by another football club after being fired for repeated drug / alcohol use.
I am so over the “I was using because I have ‘this’ particular mental illness” excuse which suddenly nullifies an adult’s “bad behaviour” with a slap on the wrist. I am very sympathetic to those suffering under such conditions, however, if anyone in my office were to turn up acting similarly (repeatedly drunk, stoned or abusive) and gave the same reason – they would be told they need to get their life on track, and good luck to them, but sorry – you can no longer work here.
I agree with Mia – why is there a separate “law” which governs celebrities? For goodness sake, I just read somewhere that Lindsay Lohan has been released from gaol already barely a 3rd way through her sentence?
And, if after all that is said and done, celebrities REALLY can’t figure out right from wrong (bah!), then please let the media know where the line is – and more importantly you and I!!
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In Lindsay’s defence, I read they released her because they literally had no room. US prisons are so overcrowded.
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Stephen Fry is also bi polar, but he has used it as an outlet for his creativity. As far as I know, he hasn’t taken ice, or trashed hotel rooms, or thumped his friends. Newton had his chances at rehab, but obviously prefers to be a showbiz brat. Bigtime loser…………..
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Not quite – Stephen Fry had a serious coke addiction for many years, and was jailed for bank fraud when he was about 20.
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he also suffers from depression
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Whatever. I’d sooner have a drink with Fry, than Newton…………..
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BiPolar IS depression, plus mania or hypomania.
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I think ‘prefers’ is a bit harsh – no one chooses a life of addiction, mental illness and misery!
I am completely on the side of Rachel Taylor and all abused women, but don’t act like it’s a choice for him to be that way…
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Gorgi Coghlan wished Matthew Newton a ‘speedy recovery’ on 7pm last night. WTF???
I’ve written a post about it on my new blog http://lavistadaqui.blogspot.com/
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Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes…..
I really have a lot of empathy with this family – yes, even Matthew. I have sympathy for Rachel. She was unfortunately caught up in this mess. Mental illness is such a horrible disease. It effects everyone, not just the patient, and it’s not that easy to fix. It’s not as simple as medicating, or choosing to avoid alcohol and drugs (although that does help). I have a family member with depression and bi-polar and I can’t ever see when life will be ‘normal’. You just have to take the good days and enjoy them because the bad days certainly stand out. This is made more difficult for the Newtons because they are dealing with it with the rest of Australia watching. I’m sending them all my positive thoughts and hope that this sorts itself out sooner rather than later.
Mental illness is a sickness. It’s not like having a broken arm where everyone can see it and it will soon heal. Many people live with mental illness and no one knows it. When you’re having a good day, you can front up to the world, put on your ‘happy face’ and no one will know. When you’re having a bad day, you can stay at home and hide, and no one will know. Mental illness can easily be hidden. There are many people in our community who are living with this shit (sorry, but it is) every day and no one can tell the difference. We need to be more sensitive to and accepting of mental illness. If we remove the stigma associated with it, then it will be easier for sufferers to seek help and understanding when they need it.
Mental illness is like mothering, in that every case is different. We should all love and support one another through it, instead of criticising and judging.
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Brilliantly Put!! *claps*
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I agree we need to be more aware and sensitive to mental health issues. As someone with a background in both science and philosophy (for well thought out reasons) I would argue it is simply not possible to dismiss all the actions of all people who have been labeled as having a mental illness as being ’caused’ by that mental illness. I guarantee you that we are far far away from being able to assert that as a fact. Obviously there are effects that mental health has on our actions and these need to be kept in mind but how much responsibility we should put on individuals is still a very open question.
I think we need to be sensitive and wise and mindful when we make judgements but I do not agree that we do should not make them (and I would argue that indeed it is impossible not at some level to judge). Judgement has evolved as part of the dynamics of our society to help protect us and keep us safe and moderate the actions of people to keep them mindful of their effects on others. To take away the important and protective function of judgement dramatically changes the dynamics of our social world and often means that people will be harmed sometimes severely. By cultivating the expectation of self-responsibility, people are more likely to act in a way that is responsible.
Perhaps it would have been better to have forced Matthew Newton to face up to being a grown man with some responsibility of his actions both for himself and others rather than help cultivate in him an idea of victimhood to his situation and helplessness which helped neither him nor anyone else.
I have had more than my fair share of mental health issues which have greatly affected my life. And although I have not been violent or in trouble with the law I have been in a situation where I had to face a serious judgement. I had to face up to and be responsible for my actions and I believe I was rightfully taken to task. It was certainly not pleasant being judged but at the same time, I feel that it was rightful and the people involved balanced judgement with wisdom and understanding. I think to be honest is a little niave of the dynamics of human society to say that we should be full of nothing but support and understanding. Fair judgement has its place in society too and plays a critically important role.
Matthew Newton has had plenty of chances and has been in a situation much more than most to get help. It is time for him and everyone else to treat him as a grown man and accept responsibility for his behaviour and face fair judgement for his actions which have been callous and mindless of the welfare of others. He deserves both judgement and support. Rachel Taylor deserves nothing but support.
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I was actually so outraged by their interview that I couldn’t find the words to type.
I’ve had enough of the Newtons, let them stew in the mess of their own making.
Australia lost a truly wonderful actor yesterday with the death of Victoria Longley, that’s who I’d like to focus on today.
A transcendent performer both on screen and on stage and by all accounts a lovely person.
She will be sorely missed.
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I dated a bi-polar man in my early 20′s. As it turned out his mother was bi-polar and his grandmother was bi-polar. He was diagnosed whilst we were dating and un-medicated. The relationship wasn’t working and I new I had to break it off, but each time I did he lost it. Finally I bit the bullet and did it – because as I learned no time was a good time. He put his fist through the wall, threw furniture around the room and then took off with equipment to gas himself. I called the police. When he returned his knuckles were all bloodied. In the coming months he waged a campaign against me by telling horrible lies to my personal friends – it was very vicious! All the while turning up on my front door step constantly begging me and my family to allow him back into our lives. We dated for approx. 8 months only. It was such a hard thing to go through, and I couldn’t protect him from himself either. Bi-polar seems to be genetic. Hasn’t the lovely Patti had some strange episodes over the past couple of years??? She apparently suffers something called “Transient Global Amnesia”, experiencing black outs. Could this be in some way connected to mental disorders? I feel for everyone in this situation. There are no winners. Time Matthew Newton steps up and takes accountability and gets the help he needs. Beating women doesn’t get much lower than that.
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‘Transient Global Amnesia’ is generally due to a small blockage in the blood vessels in the brain. During this period people can act out of character and forget periods of time (a few hours to a day). As the blockage passes (hence the ‘transient’ part) the person comes back to themselves but may have a period of memory loss. It’s closely associated with athereosclerosis and can be an indicator of stroke risk if it occurs multiple times. It is a vascular issue and not a mental health issue.
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i was horified with bert and patti. They seem to refuse the fact their son has a huge drug problem and patti also attacked rachel for going to rome on holiday with their son….disgraceful. They kept saying they didnt know what happened in rome…rubbish they would have been told by seven producers so they knew what help to give him and why he needed it….They were right about one thing, i do think less of both of them now and this is what i will remember them by.
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I disagree. They didn’t deny his drugs- they just didn’t dwell on it – they admitted that Matthew would probably be massively pissed off with them for saying what they did say. I don’t think they attacked Rachel at all either – they said they loved her and warned her.
They said they knew in hindsight (handy, no?) putting bits and pieces together it added up, but at the time, they were just worried about what was happening to their son. And they said that HE needs to work on his issues.
I had a similar discussion with my brother and SIL – he kept dwelling on stuff I did years ago. My SIL and I said “Its not denying what happened – you just move on”. Its what you do with people you love. We’d be a seriously more fucked up society if that didn’t happen.
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It’s incredibly hard as a parent to help an adult child. You have very little legal ability to get the sort of help they need until something serious happens.
Of course, they have to be careful about what they say with regard to Rachael from a legal point of view. I don’t think they were disrespectful. You have to cut them a little bit of slack for their bias and the small amount of denial they are still in. He is there child.
I feel sorry for them all.
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I’m just watching the interview online now and I agree. What a horrible situation for his parents. I actually feel sorry for all of them. The parents would have had to deal with his problems all his life. I would think he has always been a worry to them (and that’s putting it mildly).
I think, especially as a man, that they try so hard to deny that there’s anything wrong. They think ‘what sort of man can’t cope’ and they become angry and agressive and try to put on a show so that he can fool himself and everyone into believing that there’s no problem.
In an awful way this could be the best thing to happen to him. Maybe it will be so bad for him that he has no choice but to work at his issues. He will need to have some serious conversations with his parents and his ex-girlfriend. It will be a very long journey for them all.
Obviously I have a lot of sympathy for him on a human suffering level, but I don’t condone what he has done AT ALL. It’s absolutely horrific for his ex-girlfriend. Each of those people (Matthew, Mum & Dad and the ex) have been in their own awful hell because of this. I hope they all get the help they need.
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As someone who has family members with bipolar i was really pissed off to see Patti say he suffers psychiatric episodes ‘beyond his control”.
Actually sorry but you make a CHOICE to smoke ice and cannabis and refuse treatment and take other drugs and drink and bring stress on yourself against the most dire of warnings. It is almost a given that someone with potential mental health problems will end up in bad shape if they take drugs and live the way he has.
It is true you cannot help a psychiatric episode that just happens to you, and it does just happen, but if you refuse medication and take hard drugs (ICE for GOD’S SAKE) then sorry but you do have to take responsibility for the resulting psychiatric episode it is COMPLETELY different to an episode that just happened to someone for other reasons.
You cannot stop what you do while in the grip of an episode that is true, but you can control what you do when you are not having a psychiatric episode you are not out of control all of the time.
He has no excuse and i will be furious as a someone whose life has been touched by bipolar if he gets away with using a manageable illness as an excuse for being an arsehole. Bipolar DOES NOT EXCUSE POOR LIFE CHOICES LIKE SMOKING ICE THAT TRIGGERS PSYCHOSIS.
Wake up Bert and Pattie your little PR exercise has the potential to hurt other mental health sufferers not help, to try pair a bad temper and violence towards women with being bipolar and ‘beyond his control’ is a lie.
PR bullshit.
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I have Bipolar. I have never taken illicit drugs and I hardly drink. I know that drugs are, as one doctor put it, ‘poison for me’. But not everyone in the grips of mental illness is fortunate enough to have this insight, particularly if they began to experience symptoms while they are young. The depression that accompanies Bipolar Disorder can be a horrific thing and I myself have spent many weeks on ‘suicide watch’ in public and private hospitals. When you feel that low all the time I can completely understand why some people turn to illicit drugs for relief. It’s horrible and if you experience it severely it is easy to get to the point where you will do anything ANYTHING to just change something. Often for me I didn’t care if I got better or worse because if I got worse maybe I would feel bad enough to finally kill myself properly.
Let me just pause for a moment and say that I do not think that physical abuse can be excused. Matthew Newton needs to take responsibility for what he has done but this is not an easy thing to do. It’s a process of developing insight which takes much time and effort.
Another point with drug taking is that whilst manic people can believe that they are invincible so they are not able to assess the effect that drug consumption will have on them.
Matthew Newton definitely needs to change his life. His violence should be serving as a ‘wake up call’ to him. I’m sure that one day it will, it’s just not an instant process.
The search for the right medication can be very lengthy and unpleasant. I have had two experiences with drugs that had a negative effect on my well-being and both were truly awful. You are right though. For the majority of people bipolar is a manageable illness. It is necessary to listen to the doctors and to commit to the process of finding the right treatment. This is not always an easy thing to do. It is essential that people understand that people with mental illnesses have varying degrees of insight, in the same way that we have varying degrees of functioning and varying symptoms. Bipolar is a very diverse illness and you would be hard pressed to find two people with bipolar who experience the same symptoms.
I suppose that in sum I want to stress that I am not saying that Matthew Newton should be excused for what he’s done but therapy is a long slow process and it can take a while to realise what your mistakes are. It is so easy for your eyes to be closed to the seemingly most obvious things. We need to have compassion without removing responsibility.
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thanks for your insight. It takes courage and thought to articulate what you have. And good luck.
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With bi-polar, can you black out certain things? Not voluntarily, I mean can you do bad stuff and have no recollection of it? Or am I thinking of something else?
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My understanding is that you can black out, or “lose time”.
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I think given the intensity of the psychotic episode it is entirely possible to not remember some of the time and actions.
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Hi
(Just so that you know, I’m the person with Bipolar who posted the initial reply to Apples’ comment above. Thank-you for your kind replies to my post.)
I think that what you are thinking of are ‘Dissociative Fugues’. Google it. Or else alcoholic blackouts but you probably already know what that is.
Amnesic episodes are not a feature of bipolar. Bipolar is defined by extremes of mood in two directions- Mania (Up, high, happy, elated) and Depression (Down, low sad etc). Bipolar is categorised as a mood disorder. People can experience psychosis with bipolar but it doesn’t have to be present for a diagnosis to be made.
Some treatments can have amnesic effects also. And in severe episodes you are in such a weird mental state that you don’t think rationally and you may not remember things the way that they are.
I guess what I’m saying is that amnesia can occur in some people but it’s not a major focus of the disorder.
If you’re interested in Bipolar I have read two excellent books on the topic:
‘The Bipolar Disorder Answer Book’
I can’t remember who it’s by and I can’t remember the name of the other one. If anyone’s really desperate to know I can try to find out. I’ve also heard that ‘The Bipolar Workbook’ is good.
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Hi Apples, this one has made you quite furious! While bipolar is *manageable* as you say, it isn’t if you have not accepted that you are ill. Wanting to stay healthy, wanting to get help, wanting to be honest with yourself about how the illness affects your life is the hard work and then comes the management and the NOT taking drugs to stay healthy!
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I agree, it’s very had to admit that you have a mental health issue, especially for men. I’m not excusing anyone, but mental health issues are always extremely complex.
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It makes me furious because he is 29 and this is not the first girl he has harmed. Mental illness does not make you lose your sense of right or wrong.
First time round with Brooke Satchwell I was supportive and felt he deserved another chance and not punitive punishment but sorry times up – accept responsibility for your illness and get help or face the consequences.
It is hard work to accept help but he is out of excuses as far as I’m concerned. And Patty said he knows he is ill and choses not too accept treatment lest his ‘creativity’ be blunted.
If he was working on his illness and things still went wrong or the diagnoses was new fine but if Patti is to be believed we are now looking at nearly 15 years of ignoring medical advice and hurting others. I am stunned that the amount of time that this has been going on seems not to have been taken into account. Young or not it’s been a long, long time, it really stretches how understanding you can be of repeatedly beating up girlfriends. Time to smarten up i think he has precious little excuse left even for a difficult and complex illness that does take a long time to get on top off. Just because WE are finding about about this stuff now doesn’t make it recent. He has had many, many chances i hope the people asking for compassion think about that.
I still support him turning his life around and getting help but i think he deserves criminal charges and a conviction along with rehab and medical treatment. He used his illness last time as a get out of conviction free card.
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Apples I agree that mental illness does not make you lose your sense of right or wrong over the long-term BUT it can certainly warp your perspective in the heat of the moment. With bipolar the stress can build and build until the person becomes highly agitated and lashes out during even the slightest provocation. Lasting harm can be done in a moment, even if it’s swiftly followed by deep and sincere remorse.
The whole point about bipolar is that it’s a mood disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. People with bipolar are often highly creative and enjoy the ‘highs’ and elation they experience – so much so that they don’t want to take medication and return to ‘normal’. Similar I guess to how you’d feel if you were on vacation with the love of your life and found you’d won lotto – you wouldn’t WANT to stop feeling so elated.
The flip side of course is that the highs can be followed by devastating lows and depressions and severe agitation. I’ve seen it up close, it commonly takes up to 10 years to be diagnosed. Even those who care deeply can miss the signs – what might be passed off as moodiness, a teenage stage or being artistic and tempermental – usually builds up over the years to become a more severe, noticeable pattern.
And people with bipolar who are experiencing expansive moods are often restless and driven and on the go so unless you trail around after them all day long, it can be difficult to spot the shifting cyclic moods for they are often not in one place for long enough.
When the first severe episode happens loved ones are often in shock or denial and prone to seeing the incident as a terrible ‘one-off’ never to be repeated. It’s not usually till the bipolar person has tried and failed to keep his behaviours in check that the disorder becomes apparent and formally diagnosed.
Without medication bipolar is often manageable but elevated stress can tip them over the edge – the nature and timing of bipolar psychotic episodes are unpredictable and so often you can only see noticeable patterns of behaviour when you look back in retrospect. And even then they usually have to reach a certain ‘tipping point’ (or reach rock bottom) before professional help is sought.
Bipolar is not an excuse for violence, but now everyone’s certainly received their wakeup call that professional help for Matthew is urgently needed for him to get his life back on track. I only wish them all well – Matthew, his family, his girlfriend – everyone has suffered.
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Since Apples has family members who she has stated are bi-polar, I’m pretty sure that she is aware of what it involves. Was not the first time he beat a girlfriend a wake up call? What about the second time? Was a third time really needed for a wake up call? He already had the BEST professional help that most people could only begin dream of. Yet he selfishly chose even when he has been given help to turn that down and put his own wants in front of any concern for the safety or welfare of others. And yet he still gets from most people unlimited sympathy. Maybe women wouldn’t have to have been beaten 3 times, if he had been forced into appropriate care or consequences the first or second time, when it was clearly evident that he had a problem.
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Mabol I’m pointing out that sometimes it takes AT LEAST 2 times before everyone connects the dots to realise it’s NOT a ‘one-off’ event but rather a pattern of behaviour that is escalating out of control. Matthew has well and truly reached that point now – and it’s now clear to everyone that he’s in very disturbed place.
Bipolar that is exacerbated by drugs and alcohol is more about a person being hell-bent on self-destruction or fueling the flames of a manic high without considering the consequences of who they hurt in their wake – rather than pre-meditated intent to cause harm.
When you are saying that he should have been forced into appropriate care that is precisely what is happening right now. The first time the court granted him good grace in the hope he’d learned from the error of his ways. The second time he lost his job (possibly career) and is under suicide watch in psychiatric care. He’s paying for his mistakes all right. As Bert rightly says there are no winners (in this terrible mess).
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A lot of the interview was interesting. One thing that stands out was when Patti was asked why they decided to speak out, she said that Bert had had a long career in the entertainment industry and she didnt want him to be remembered for Matthew’s indescretions. What the??? Surely that shouldnt be foremost in their minds? The fact that they dont sound like they have been close to Matt for some time but decide to spill all to the media about it, I just dont get it….
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Parents do say the dorkiest things – even famous ones, hey.
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Well, just watched most of Bert and Patti on ACA. They really don’t look like they’re travelling too well, do they?
I think good on them for being up front about everything that has happened. And for pointing out the signposts they could see in hindsight but naturally at the time were isolated incidents.
They said that he’ll probably be pissed off with them for talking about it, etc. I would be too.
But if it helps one person or family to get help for what is so obviously far deeper for him and them than anyone else has really realised, then it was worth it.
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In relation to a comment that he has bipolar: Bipolar or not, violence to express ones feelings is unacceptable. His problem clearly is alcohol. The reason that he has done this before is because nobody has put their foot down and told him that this behaviour is appalling and therefore will not be tolerated. People that wrap him in bubble wrap and make excuses such as ‘bipolar’ do him no favours – and they certainly don’t do the females that come into contact with him any favours either. I know 3 people who suffer from bipolar, their mood swings range from extremely happy to very angry in just moments. Not once have they been violent. I tend to think that sometimes people use ‘mental illness’ as an excuse for bad behaviour. He needs to be told what a pig he is, get help for his addiction and take a good hard look at himself. The more people make excuses for him the more likely it is he will fall right back into this filthy habit.
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Just flicked through the latest New Idea and there’s a picture of Matthew Newton holding Brooke Satchwell around the neck as he is in the photo above with Rachel; it’s really creepy
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people living in a dreamland thinking domestic violence purpertrators can change?? People never change no matter if they have rehab or not, rehab is a joke… tell me of one person who has changed for longer than 2 yrs, i feel sorry for any1 who falls for the rehab line!
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I’ll tell you one. A close family relative was a heroin addict for 10 years and has been clean for 25. I am very proud of her. Have some faith!
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I couldn’t imagine what poor Rachel is going through. Aside from being violently abused nothing could be more scarier than watching the person you love lose their mind.
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Belle thank you for saying that. Just over 2 years ago I extracted myself form a relationship. I couldn’t see it at the time because I loved him so much, but he had sunk into a spiral of depression and was hurting me, only emotionally, never physically. It is really hard when you are in that situation to see it for what it is.
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Poor old Matthew Newton. Bollocks! How about his poor girlfriend who was the recipient of his rage. How about talking about her and what she has endured. Violence is violence. He is an abuser. Another quick rush to rehab as it all comes to light seems trite. Yes he may have mental health issues. Yes he may have drug and alcohol issues. But so do thousands of non-famous people. Whilst this does go some way to explaining behaviour it doesn’t excuse it. How about he accepts the consequences for his actions and steps up as a man and accepts responsibility. Last time round he got a slap on the wrist and the judge took pity on him because the embarrassment he felt as a celebrity was punishment enough. Hopefully this time the judge will deem it more serious. I am over celebrities being given some sort of pass for atrocious behaviours simply because they are celebrities. He choose to enter the entertainment industry and its associated pressures stop using it as an excuse.
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I should also add that the majority of people with mental illness, including bipolar disorder, are non-violent or are more likely to self-harm than harm others. Having a mental illness is not an instant free pass to act in this manner and stigmatises and demonises others with the same issues. It may be part of the picture (if it is officially confirmed) but not the sole reason for his behaviour.
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I read today that Mathew suffers from bipolar disorder. His violent behaviour can be a result from his delusions and psychosis (which can be triggered by alcohol and drug use) It is in no way excusable but many people who suffer from this frightening disease need medication and a lot of support to handle this illness. I really feel for him (and his poor girlfriend and family) because this is such a damaging and fateful illness and many end up taking their owns lives because it is so difficult to live with. It is no surprise that a lot of the jails are full of mentally ill people who turn violent because they are not properly diagnosed, lack support or are uneducated about their illness. This is a very serious situation, I know, I have spent 35 years living with a dear family member who is bipolar.
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Bipolar or not, violence to express ones feelings is unacceptable. His problem clearly is alcohol. The reason that he has done this before is because nobody has put their foot down and told him that this behaviour is appalling and therefore will not be tolerated. People that wrap him in bubble wrap and make excuses such as ‘bipolar’ do him no favours – and they certainly don’t do the females that come into contact with him any favours either. I know 3 people who suffer from bipolar, their mood swings range from extremely happy to very angry in just moments. Not once have they been violent. I tend to think that sometimes people use ‘mental illness’ as an excuse for bad behaviour. He needs to be told what a pig he is, get help for his addiction and take a good hard look at himself. The more people make excuses for him the more likely it is he will fall right back into this filthy habit.
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No one is saying this is acceptable because he is bipolar, and no one is condoning his violent behaviour. When someone suffers from pychosis and delusions violence can occur. Someone who is severely psycotic is in a mental state of insanity and in danger of harming themselves and others. Telling them off isn’t going to fix this, psyciatric care and meds is what they need.
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I too have a family member who is bi-polar and yes, there are certainly mood swings but never have we seen violence. His being bipolar in this instance sounds more like a cop out to a much bigger problem.
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