Matthew Newton on ‘suicide watch’ as parents anguish
"Matthew is under suicide watch, which is absolutely devastating to a mother and father to think it's come this," says Patti Newton.
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In a frank interview with Tracy Grimshaw, Bert and Patti Newton told of their heartache over the breakdown of their son Matthew.
The former X Factor host is now in a psychiatric hospital on suicide watch, following his meltdown in Rome, during which he allegedly assaulted actress Rachael Taylor.
The showbiz parents explained that Matthew has had trouble with his temper since he was a child.
Patti said, “Tracy he’s never really accepted the fact that he had an illness. I remember he was about 16 or younger, maybe 14 and went to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist I think it was, and this psychologist said to Matthew, you make sure you never do drugs or alcohol because you have the personality that it will take over your life, and you know that was at 14.
“You always blame yourself, I’ve gone through traumas thinking where did I go wrong, what did I do? I would think all mothers would do that under these circumstances.
“I mean as we speak, Matthew is under suicide watch, which is absolutely devastating to a mother and father to think it’s come this and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Bert Newton said many of the things that have happened he has learned about through the media. While he supports his son, he does not condone his actions.
“I think also Matthew thinks that everything will right itself pretty quickly and that’s not going to happen and I think that what we’re learning at the moment is perhaps something people might benefit from, that you know, if you see some signs, you’ve got to get to it pretty quickly,” he said.
Added Patti, “I said to Rachael many times that we were both on the same side, she and I, we both loved Matthew and we both wanted the best thing for him and hopefully I thought she was the one to get it for him, but rehab wasn’t the answer. It should have been a psychiatric hospital, I think.”
“He’s under brain surgeons and neurologists and things like that at the moment, but years ago bipolar was mentioned but he wouldn’t take that drug because he wouldn’t ever want his creativity to leave him, and that’s what he felt.
Said Bert, “All of these things become significant in rewind because when they’re happening at the time you don’t see anything of major significance, but looking back now you see them as signposts but at the time you don’t recognise where those signposts are taking him or us.”
Grimshaw asked if Matthew got off “too lightly” following his assault case involving actress Brooke Satchwell.
“I suppose in the light of what’s happened now people would question that, but apart from the involvement of getting him legal help we had very little to do with the result,” he said.
In one surprising comment, Patti Newton said she instigated the interview with ACA.
“Bert’s had a very long, good career, over 60 years. I feel very sad about the fact that he might be remembered for the fact that Matthew cause so much trouble and so much heartache for everybody. And I don’t want that to be the case.”
Bert added, “Matthew has to get back to being healthy again, the other people invovled, hopefully can move on and in each case enjoy a good life, and maybe the other benefit is because in some ways Patti and I were a bit naive with those aforementioned signposts maybe they’ll learn from that and maybe another life, young life, can change for the better.”
The X Factor premiered last night on Seven without any trace of Matthew Newton.
Violence Against Women, Australian Says No 1800 200 526
Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277
Mensline Australia – 1300 78 99 78
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26 Responses
Both Bert and Patti were obviously stressed last night. What I find most astonishing about the revelations made in the interview was that Matt was diagnosed with a “psychiatric condition” when he was 14. He is now 33. Why have his issues been allowed to slide for almost 20 years, with no definitive diagnosis? Patti and Bert could not even properly articulate what kind of psyche problem Matt had. Am I the only one who found that odd? Both my late father and my brother were afflicted with psychiatric disorders, and we have always been well aware of their problems, medications, treatments, etc. Sorry, but the airy-fairy discussion of his psyche problems struck me as very strange.
Australia gives “a fair go”, always “a second chance “. But we as a country and a people must be brave enough to stand up and say No! Violence against women is not okay. The community need’s to make a loud statement that we do not wish to see these types people representing our media and our viewpoints, whether it be Wayne Carey or Matthew John’s as sports hosts or Matthew Newton as a presenter/ actor. The networks need to take responsibility in denying these repeat offenders an opportunity to work in the public media. They have an obligation to the audience they service. Otherwise this dirty destructive cycle will only continue to repeat itself. To violence against women: Australia says no!
The comments in this thread suggest that it is a complex myriad of circumstances that have led to this unfortunate denoument in Matt’s life. I don’t think that Bert & Patti proclaim to be great parents; Matthew himself must take responsibility for his well being and medical care. He is 33 or thereabouts.
Brooke Satchwell may not have known what issues her then partner struggled with. Rachael Taylor knew a lot more. We all carry some responsibility for our interactions; I do not think any one here condones violence towards women.
I don’t think we can judge Newton’s behaviour without knowing what his clinical conditions are. I also don’t think we can judge his parents for appearing. 1.7 million at least are interested enough to watch. If Matt has violent tendencies against women – then he needs to be treated, charged, sentenced – whatever is deemed apt.
I for one, resist demonizing him for eternity. Speculation can also be problematic.
@FlossAus i also noted that they seemed to barely know their son, the fact they didn’t know he was engaged was evidence of that, most people in a good relationship with their parents would be the first to ring them and share the good news. Maybe theres a good reason for that, Matt seems to have wanted to try and lead an independent life away from the shadow of his fathers fame, which sadly would be almost impossible in this country. They said he moved to Sydney at age 19 and thats a usual reason for young adults to move interstate away from their family.
Whatever the case, letting him get off with no conviction on the Brooke Satchwell case was a poor move, if it had been any non famous citizen that would not have happened & then that person learns their lesson the hard way, mental illness or not.
I feel for the Netwon family, no one wins in this situation… But- Matthew didn’t want them to do the interview, he is apparently on suicide watch and they ask to do the interview because they worry for Bert’s career which has never been in question by any media outlet.
I’m sorry I just don’t get it.
It’s sad, and strange, that in 16 years of seeing therapists/specialists/doctors, some sort of diagnosis hasn’t been reached. It does trouble me that Matthew Newton’s violence against women is being seemingly linked with a mental illness, even though research says it’s more likely an unwell person will harm themselves, not someone else. I sincerely hope he’s receiving the help and treatment he needs to keep himself and others safe.
I feel sorry for the parents…
@Dan, I’m sorry but I take extreme offence to your comment regarding the women getting involved with him – ‘they also have to take some responsibility in what happens to them’ That comment is so offside – yes, I believe the women should be aware of his issues and mental problems, which from Patti’s comments last night.
I found the interview incredibly interesting because it showed that the Newton’s barely know their son and it seems they haven’t wanted too in the recent times. Patti often came very close to stepping over the line by suggesting that the holiday was bad choice and maybe Rachael was responsible for that, she also mentioned warning the girls about her son’s behaviour. Bert, I agree seemed more shellshocked that anything, and I think has been burying his head in the sand, while Patti attempts to take control by saving Bert’s image and distancing themselves from their son.
Sympathy to family and all affected, and to Matt. I hope you can get the treatment and help you need
Any family whose knee jerk reaction in a crisis is to go to ACA clearly has issues. If only Bert had spent more time talking to his son, than talking to the media.
I can only hope they got a large fee for this and donated it to one of the charities named at the bottom of this article, but I doubt it.
Well the judge in the Brooke Satchwell case came to the conclusion that he respected women and was unlikely to commit again. And that is exactly what is wrong with our justice system. Always take the “don’t do it again, i’m sure you won’t do it again” stance, and then they go and reoffend because they know they can get away with it. Lock him up.
I didn’t see the interview so am only going on what is written here, but what an odd comment to be made by Patti about instigating the interview to protect Bert’s reputation? That doesn’t even make sense and surely it is more important for them as parents to be more concerned about their son rather than Bert’s public image?
And as someone pointed out elsewhere, Bert himself had his share of mental health issues and breakdowns early in his career so you’d think he or Patti would have been more aware of detecting the signs in their own son’s behaviour?
Are we supposed to have sympathy for him because of his mental illness??? It’s on the record that he’s an angry and violent man who has already beaten one woman, and now (alledgedly) he’s done it again! Gaols are full of criminals with mental illness.
I have sympathy for Bert and Patty, and the two previous girlfriends.
@Tom
Only women apparently.
So, he is on suicide watch, and yet this fact still didn’t deter this couple from doing a TV interview about their son, which would obviously be adding to the anxiety Matthew is likely to be experiencing at the moment. They should be ashamed of themselves. Stop being showbiz parents, and be there for your family.
Wow, what a bizarre family.
Yes, you’ve got to have some sympathy for the Newtons, but if Matthew was an ordinary family’s son instead of the son of a celebrity couple he’d already have been in jail for aggravated assault occasioning grevious bodily harm.
All this outpouring of sympathy for the Newtons on this website and elsewhere but not a peep of sympathy for the girls. What about their families – why isn’t ACA seeking justice for them? It’s actually fun watching spin in progress. Just watch as the media picks up poor Matthew Newton’s brave story as he struggles to rebuild his life. Watch the money pour in from No Idea and Womens Weekly as the Newtons continue to air their family’s dirty laundry to a rapt national audience.
Surely it’s all a bit sickening, isn’t it?
I would like to throw in the mix a comment I have seen made by others – is this violence limited to beating up women only? or has his ‘problem’ with ‘anger and violence’ included altercations with men of similar strength and size?
The Newtons said their son refused to take medication because he feared it would stifle his creativity, which is a reasonable concern (what would the paintings of Van Gogh have been like on meds?). He clearly can’t cope, however, without some form of medication so hopefully this message is getting through to him.
mental issues is really very hard to detect and also accepting that you have a mental issue would be the biggest road block of all.
Bert and Patti are a great couple and will always be admired for their contribution to Australian TV in a positive way.
One thing I don’t condone is when metal illness is used as an excuse in physical violence, against anyone! Which is what I expect will be the case if Matthew is charged over his actions. Matthew needs to step up, admitt he is a coward for violence against women and spend a few years in a hospital to get a hold of his problems.
That being said, I also believe that if women choose to get involved with guys like this, then they also have to take some responsibility in what happens to them, especially if they are aware of the guys past, which I think that Rachael would have been well aware of. She didn’t deserve it but she can’t be surprised surely!
What was happening at home for these issues to surface perhaps Tracy was asking the wrong questions…
Perhaps if our joke of a legal system which let him off without conviction for his last effort should in future not be so star struck and have different rules for different people
Hows about we concentrate on the real victims, people like Rachael, Brooke Satchwell et al, instead of this little twerp.
He should have been Bubba’s little lovechild in prison after he bashed Brooke.
The comment about Bert’s 60 years was an odd one, but the Newton’s are also shellshocked and experiencing pain beyond a lot of people’s imagining. The interview timing may not have been the most apt, but it is out there, and I for one, hope that as a family they get through this. There is a long history of kids of famous parents struggling to find functional lives – perhaps this is one of those – regardless it is very brave of them to face the music, at least in the immediate danger of their son’s very real having gone off the rails. It is very sad.
Grotesque duo. I hope Matt finds a therapist he can trust and get to the core of the problem and start dealing with it.
i think they have had their head in the sand at times his parents.
I sincerely hope that the Newton family have not blamed their sons issues with anger, and continued violence against women, on mental health.
If the first time he saw a therapist was when he was “around 14”, then I would hope that by age 30 he was properly diagnosed and treated with either medication or therapy.