Matthew Newton hits back at claims he was 'admitted to expensive psych ward'
UPDATE: Matthew Newton has denied claims he is receiving treatment for mental illness.
The Australian actor says he's been left 'upset' following allegations he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Los Angeles to undergo treatment for mental illness.
The actor said: "It did not happen. It has been made up. The whole article is full of lies.
"I am happy and healthy. I have been residing peacefully in New York for the last three years with occasional business trips to Los Angeles.
"I am working with people on several film projects. I have not sought nor received financial support from my parents for many years."
According to Woman's Day, the embattled actor was admitted to an expensive psychiatric hospital this week following a 'psychotic episode that has broken his parents' hearts.'
The magazine reported, Newton - the son of Australian TV legend Bert Newton - was receiving treatment for mental illness after recently returning to the public eye.
Newton insists the claims are untrue.
Newton has previously opened up about his violent past, admitting his outbursts were provoked by a "wave of terror" and "hopelessness".
The troubled star said his erratic behaviour was also brought on by his mental illness and a feeling that he was "about to die".
"That's when I end up running out of options, feeling like I don't know what to do," he said in 2013.
Newton, 36, was charged with the assault of his former girlfriend, Australian actress Brooke Satchwell, in 2007.
In 2010, he allegedly assaulted his then-fiancee, actress Rachael Taylor, in the lobby of a hotel in Italy.
Newton was also charged with the assault of a taxi driver in Sydney in 2011.
The actor said he knew he hit "rock bottom" when he was arrested for hitting a hotel clerk in the face in Miami, USA, last year.
"I was put in the back of the police car and I realised I was completely alone. I realised there were two choices: there was help, there was honestly opening myself up and asking for help, or there was nothing, there was the end," he said.
Newton also admitted he had never been given an official diagnosis on his mental illness, despite repeatedly avoiding conviction on the grounds of mental health, specifically bipolar disorder.
He said he was completely at fault for assaults on his former girlfriends.
"It's never okay to hit someone," he said.
The actor stressed that he's on the mend and is working through his issues without being on "addictive" medication which he had been using to help with his mental illness.
"I'm now doing everything in my human power to make sure that any events of the past don't occur again."
Newtown is hopeful of getting back to acting and said offers of work in America and Australia were re-emerging.
"I want, in the second half of my life, to be an exemplary citizen, a successful professional and one day a really good parent."
If you are, or if you know someone struggling with mental illness, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Morning news break – September 14
