Tragedy as Aussie dad is found dead Christmas Day after struggling to find a house for his family
A young Queensland mother has said the mental health support services available to Australians are woefully inadequate after 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 three children Alaina, Kayden and Riley.
Ms Cross said Sam, who worked as a cabinet maker by trade, was a ‘wonderful dad’ 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 he loved his family and his motorbikes. We are all in shock, it just goes to show what people can be struggling with on the inside,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Cross said like many families around the country, they had been struggling during the housing crisis and were unable to afford a home in the area where they grew up in and had recently moved into a caravan on her parent’s property.
‘It put a huge toll on us both, especially him feeling like he had to provide for us. It was just too much for the both of us,’ she told Newscorp.
She said Sam had felt stress about the situation but was keeping it to himself and that he 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 dad’ but their family had been struggling the housing crises that has seen property prices skyrocket as supply remains low
Mr Platt is pictured with his family
‘He was struggling with his mental health but was very silent about it. I believe it is a big problem among men from his generation, they need to know they don’t have to be too strong,’ she told NewsCorp.
Ms Boubaris thanked the community for their support.
‘It will not only help the family with the immediate financial burden but will also provide them with a sense of comfort knowing they’re not alone in this.
She said the loss of Sam’s primary income would add further strain to a ‘devastated’ Ms Cross as she raises their young kids.
‘Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will go directly to helping Meghan and her children,’ she said.
Both Ms Cross and Ms Boubaris urged other men to reach out and talk to those close to them and to keep looking for mental health support services despite setbacks.
A church service for Mr Platt will be held on Friday.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
