Ita Buttrose ‘burst into tears’ home alone during coronavirus pandemic

Iconic Australian journalist Ita Buttrose has revealed her rare moment of vulnerability while she was home alone one morning.

Ita Buttrose has revealed she had an emotional breakdown while she was home alone during the coronavirus pandemic.

The legendary Australian journalist, 78, featured on Studio 10 today where she was discussing the impact COVID-19 has had on people’s mental health.

Co-host Sarah Harris led her questioning by telling Buttrose she had a “mental toughness” about her, and asked for her advice on dealing with negative situations.

“I must be perfectly frank, early in the COVID-19 shutdown … One Saturday morning I was sitting in my lounge room and burst into tears,” Buttrose said.

“I thought, ‘Gosh, what’s the matter with me?’

“It was just the impact of this world we’re living in. Then you think, ‘Pull yourself together Ita.’”

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Ita Buttrose revealed the upsetting moment during an interview on Studio 10.

The ABC chair, who lives by herself in Sydney, elaborated on the difficulties Aussies were facing during these trying times, saying mental health “doesn’t discriminate”.

“It’s not just the low socio-economic groups; it’s right across the system,” she said.

“It can affect the wealthiest person in the land, and it can affect the poorest person in the land. That’s the insidious nature of the beast.

“One plus, if I can call it that, is that it’s helped reduce the stigma that exists around mental illness because so many people hesitate to seek help and don’t want to admit something’s wrong.

“It’s so prevalent now that people need to understand if they have any mental issues at all they need to seek medical help at once.

“There’s so much help available and so much can be done.”

Ita Buttrose talked about mental health on Studio 10.

Buttrose is the chair of the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group who are preparing to award their Australian Mental Health Prize, which recognises Aussies who have made significant contributions to promotion, prevention and treatment of mental health.

As for how Buttrose makes herself feel better when she’s having a down day, the Cleo magazine founder said she tries to go for a long walk every day, and of course, her dog always manages to put a smile on her face.

“I’m a great believer in exercise, I’m a great believer in going for a walk and clearing your brain,” she said.

“It keeps you grounded. I find that when I go walking and don’t take a radio or headset I just listen to the birds.

“And dogs are good companions because it doesn’t matter if you leave the home in an angry mood, they’re still pleased to see you when you get home.”