Viewers in Queensland tuning in for their daily weather update received an unexpected message when ABC reporter Nate Byrne abruptly interrupted his broadcast to address a personal health issue. On Tuesday morning, Byrne, known for his calm and composed demeanor, suddenly found himself experiencing a panic attack live on air.
During the broadcast, Byrne candidly acknowledged his condition, saying, “I’m actually going to need to stop for a second. Some of you may know that I occasionally get affected by some panic attacks, and actually that’s happening right now. Lisa, maybe I could hand back to you.”
Co-host Lisa Millar immediately took over, seamlessly continuing the broadcast while also taking a moment to raise awareness about mental health. Millar referenced an article Byrne had written in 2022, where he opened up about his struggles with on-air panic attacks, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health openly.
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Brilliantly handled by Nate Byrne and ABC news colleagues pic.twitter.com/aSeM3sFjnS
— Kel (@kellulz) August 13, 2024
The incident quickly gained attention on social media, with a post shared on August 13 garnering over 14,000 views, along with numerous likes and comments. Many viewers praised Byrne for his honesty and bravery in handling the situation.
One commenter noted, “I’ve seen a ‘macho’ having a panic attack once; it looked pathetic while trying to downplay it. Byrne is handling it manlier because he is not in denial.” Another user, Chris McLeod, empathized with Byrne, sharing, “Really empathized with this man dealing with a very public panic attack. This is how my agoraphobia manifests, so I greatly feel for him and felt compelled to share. Well done, Nate Byrne.”
Glenn Hampson, another X user, lauded the supportive environment, writing, “What a little understanding and caring looks like when someone suffers a mental health episode. No gaslighting or blame, just understanding and love for a colleague – Panic attack pause for Nate Byrne.”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about mental health in the workplace, with many applauding both Byrne and the ABC team for their handling of the situation.