How Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac saved a desperate viewer from suicide

Sam Mac is known for his hilarious pranks and feel-good segments on Sunrise.

But the 37-year-old weatherman is very serious when it comes to mental health, and revealed last week how he’d helped save a fan’s life with one powerful gesture.

He shared a screenshot to Instagram of a direct message he’d received from the viewer, who said that speaking to Sam had helped them cope with suicidal feelings. 

‘I think you are great and are helping many people. I’m so glad you have a partner now,’ the fan wrote, referencing Sam’s new girlfriend, Elle Whittaker.  

They added: ‘I know you get lots of messages and too many to read, but last year I told you how you helped me not hang myself.

‘I kept thinking about what you said about your friend and how it affects everyone left behind, so I got the courage to tell my husband and got help from there.’

Sam explained in the caption that he remembered their conversation, which took place last year, and that he was so proud of the fan for sharing their experience.

‘It’s confronting, but particularly given what’s happening in the world at the moment these conversations are more important than ever,’ he wrote.

‘There is always someone to talk to. Your friend, your partner, your family, or a professional… The smallest conversation can be life changing.’

It comes after Sam spoke about life in lockdown with his girlfriend, Elle, on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy and Wippa last month.

Co-host Sarah McGilvray said it was ‘pretty intense’ for the couple to self-isolate together considering they had not been together for that long.

‘Yeah, it is a bit intense, but so far so good,’ he said.