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Home and Away's Sam Frost slams 'flawed' health system: 'Betrayed'
The Aussie star was brought to tears during her hospital appointments.
Former Home and Away star Sam Frost has written a scathing personal essay about her experience with the "reckless and irresponsible" mental health system in Queensland. The actress is expecting a baby boy this year with her Survivor star fiancé Jordie Hansen.
Sam has long advocated for mental health and founded Believe by Sam Frost with her sister Kristine, an initiative to help support young women through tough times. While she has consistently spread the message of asking for help, the star’s 12-week ordeal with a Sunshine Coast hospital alarmed and confused her.
She began her post by explaining she had some difficulty with her pregnancy at 22 weeks, so the couple went to the hospital to get everything checked out. It turned out that nothing major had gone wrong and her baby was “happy and healthy”.
While Sam was at the hospital, she decided to organise her birthing process which involved filling out an array of paperwork. She didn’t expect to have difficulty answering questions until she reached the “psychological component” which is used to gauge if the patient needs ‘extra mental health support’.
“At the time, I thought it was a general screening and wasn’t expecting questions relating to my mental health, childhood experiences, etc. I could feel my chest tightening, my breath getting shorter, tears welling in my eyes, until I couldn’t hold it in anymore,” she recalled.
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Sam was overwhelmed with emotion and had a “minor anxiety attack”, but told fans that her midwife was “incredible” through the whole process.
After taking a beat, she poured out her fears, worries and “deeply personal information” which wasn’t easy to share.
“I spoke about difficulties in my childhood, my constant anxiety about my past being brought back up to the surface now that I am about to become a parent, and my family history of post-natal depression,” she explained.
Her midwife left the Bachelor star “drained, but relieved”, as she was classified as a “high-risk category” and assured her that somebody would reach out regarding mental health support.
Over the next few weeks, Sam continued to have multiple midwife appointments and asked each time about the “psychologist referral” promised at her first visit. She was asked the same difficult mental health screening questions again, leading to more tears.
“10 weeks [passed], and I still hadn’t heard anything. I followed up four times, and sent an email with my concerns; How the screening process triggered a trauma response, and failing to follow up with the appropriate mental health care was reckless and irresponsible,” Sam wrote.
After being brushed off another few times, Sam finally received a phone call from the nursing unit manager. Instead of apologising for the delay and runaround, the health worker cut to the chase: Sam didn’t qualify for any mental health support.
The star couldn’t believe what she was hearing and raised some important issues, asking why it took 12 weeks to receive this update.
“If someone who has a long history with depression, who had experienced difficulties in their childhood which they were concerned would be brought to the surface becoming a parent themselves, and a family history with post-natal depression DOESN’T meet the criteria for mental health support…then who does???” she said passionately.
The media personality slammed the ‘flawed’ mental health system and told fans the process caused her heartache and tears. While she has the tools to deal with her experience, she is concerned that other "vulnerable" women wouldn't cope so well.
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“I have spent years sharing my experiences, trying to raise awareness of the importance of speaking up. To not be afraid to reach out when you’re struggling and need support. And if you ever feel like the world is crumbling, there is help available. You are never alone,” she explained.
“Yet, after that phone call, I felt desperately alone. I felt betrayed by the system I passionately advocate for.”
The star encouraged fans to check out the PANDA website, which stands for Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia. The organisation helps to support parents and families with mental health struggles.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
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