A young Queensland mother has said mental health support services available to Australians are woefully inadequate following the death of her partner.
Sam Platt, 33, from the Sunshine Coast, tragically died on December 25. He is survived by his partner Meghan Cross and their three children, Alaina, Kayden and Riley.
Cross said Sam, who worked as a cabinetmaker by trade, was a “wonderful father” who enjoyed spending time outdoors with his children, including riding his dirt bike.
Family friend Marina Boubaris has launched a GoFundMe for the couple’s children.
‘There were no warning signs. He was happy to love his family and his motorcycles. “We are all in shock, this shows what people may be struggling with inside,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
Cross said that, like many families across the country, they had been struggling during the housing crisis and could not afford a house in the area where they grew up and had recently moved into a caravan on their parents’ property.
“It took a toll on both of us, especially him, who felt he had to support us. “It was too much for both of us,” he told Newscorp.
He said Sam had been feeling stressed about the situation but kept it to himself and had tried to get mental health support from the government but “there wasn’t any available”.
Meghan Cross said her partner Sam Platt was a “wonderful father” but her family had been struggling with the housing crisis which has seen property prices soar while supply remains low.
Mr. Platt is pictured with his family.
“He was struggling with his mental health, but he was very silent about it. I think it’s a big problem with men of his generation, they need to know that they don’t have to be too strong,” he told NewsCorp.
Mrs Boubaris thanked the community for their support.
‘Not only will it help the family with the immediate financial burden, but it will also give them a sense of comfort in knowing they are not alone in this.
He said the loss of Sam’s main income would add further strain to a “devastated” Mrs Cross as she brings up her young children.
“Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will go directly to helping Meghan and her children,” he said.
Both Cross and Boubaris urged other men to reach out and talk to their loved ones and to continue seeking mental health support services despite the setbacks.
A church service will be held in honor of Mr. Platt on Friday.
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