A recent incident on Australian television highlights the importance of mental health awareness and how broadcasters can handle unexpected situations with sensitivity. Nate Byrne, a meteorologist for ABC’s “News Breakfast” show, experienced a panic attack during a live broadcast on August 13, 2024.
Instead of trying to hide the incident, Byrne courageously told viewers what was happening. “Maybe I can hand (it) back to you,” he said to anchor Lisa Millar. Millar responded with empathy and professionalism, smoothly transitioning back to her at the anchor desk.
Millar then used the moment as a teachable moment, reminding viewers that Byrne had previously written about living with panic attacks for the network's website in 2022. She gracefully ad-libbed a short segment about mental health and praised Byrne's bravery for sharing his experience publicly.
The incident demonstrates how on-air and off-air teams can work together to support each other during difficult moments, even when things don’t go according to plan. It also showcases the importance of destigmatizing mental health and recognizing that even “picture-perfect” TV personalities face mental health challenges.
Byrne returned to the broadcast later and apologized for the incident. This event highlights the need for open discussions about mental health in all settings, including the media.