Sam Frost, the Australian television actress known for her role in Home and Away, has revealed that she was in a psychologically and emotionally abusive relationship for about 18 months. She has been open about the toll this relationship took on her mental health, how she recognised the abuse, and how she is working on healing with the help of therapy, supportive people in her life, and raising awareness.

What she shared:

1. Duration and Type of Abuse

   • The relationship lasted approximately 18 months.

   • The abuse was largely emotional and psychological: manipulation, gaslighting, undermining her sense of self, making her feel mentally unstable.

2. Symptoms & Effects on Her Self‑Perception

   • Sam describes how she didn’t realise at first how badly she was being affected.

   • She began changing her appearance and behaviour to try to please or match what her ex seemed to idealise — for example, changing hair colour, dressing in specific ways, comparing herself to other women who her ex followed on social media. She felt a loss of self worth: fragile, depressed, worthless. She stayed in the relationship longer than she might otherwise have because of this.

3. Realisation and Support

   • The turning point came when she began seeing a psychologist, and through therapy she recognised that her relationship was “toxic” and emotionally abusive.

   • Her current partner, Dave Bashford, and her family have played a supportive role during her recovery.

   • She emphasises the ongoing nature of healing: that depression or the trauma from those past experiences don’t necessarily “go away” entirely, but with help the pain is less intense and less lasting.

4. Purpose in Speaking Out

   • Frost has said she hopes her transparency helps others in similar situations — those who might not realise what they’re going through, or feel stuck.

   • She has established a platform (“Believe by Sam Frost”) to share stories and offer resources for people struggling with mental health or toxic relationships.

Why it matters:

• Raising awareness. Emotional and psychological abuse are often less visible than physical abuse, and many people may not recognize the signs until much later. Sam Frost’s story helps give language and visibility to those experiences.

• Mental health implications. Being in an abusive relationship can deeply affect self‑esteem, identity, mental health (depression, anxiety), sometimes with long‑term trauma. Frost’s story shows how the effects can linger even after the relationship ends.

• Importance of support. Therapy/psychological help, friends/family, a partner who listens and supports (not fixes) are shown as crucial.

• Empowerment through speaking out. Her openness encourages others not to hide suffering, emphasizes that help is available, and contributes to destigmatizing mental health issues.