7NEWS Spotlight: James Packer tells of how being prescribed lithium left him a ‘complete zombie’

Billionaire businessman James Packer admits he “couldn’t tell you” what medication he’s on because there’s “so much” that a travelling nurse administers it for him.

The 57-year-old mogul sat down with 7NEWS Spotlight for an exclusive interview on mental health that aired on Sunday night.

Watch the full episode of 7NEWS Spotlight: Profiles In Hope on 7plus

In 2020, he revealed he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

After visiting several psychiatrists across the world, Packer said he was left a “complete zombie” after being prescribed lithium in 2022.

“The worst drug I was on, I was put on lithium in 2022 and within two weeks I was a zombie. I was a complete zombie,” he told Spotlight’s Liam Bartlett.

“My experience is having worked with psychiatrists in Israel, in Argentina, in America and all sorts of places is if you get put on the wrong drugs, it can be worse.

“It can be worse (than the mental illness itself).”

He candidly admits that he continues to take medication for his mental health, but doesn’t know what.

“I’m on something and I’m really embarrassed what I’m about to say ... I have a nurse that travels with me.

“I couldn’t tell you what I’m on because I’m on a bunch of things and someone does it for me.”

With a laugh, he said he’s also on Ozempic, a drug for diabetes which is possibly more commonly known for managing weight.

“I’m on it and I’m putting on weight,” he said.

“I’m eating a lot of sugar ... truckloads of sugar. Don’t make me feel bad.”

Packer’s raw discussion on Spotlight was his first face-to-face interview in more than a decade.

He spoke of his struggles with mental health ahead of the release of Profiles in Hope, a book by John Brogden, the former NSW Liberal leader and now President of Lifeline International.

“You’re not interviewing someone who’s saying to you, ‘I’ve got it worked out and I’ve got all the answers’,” Packer said.

“I’m not that person. I’m here saying ‘I’m doing my best’.”

He opened up about his mental health following his split from Mariah Carey in what he considers one of the darkest times in his life.

The pair began dating in 2015 and were engaged nine months later in 2016.

By October, it was over.

“Mariah and I had broken up and she thought I’d planted a story in a magazine, which I hadn’t, and it made her look bad,” he said.

“She was threatening to say things about me and so it was um ... it was a trainwreck. It was a trainwreck.

“The times that I’ve been at my worst, you know, I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

He also told Bartlett of his friendships with other influential Australians, including News Corp Chairman Lachlan Murdoch.

“Lachlan and I share the same birthday - September the 8th - except he’s four years younger than me,” Packer said.

“And he had a birthday party for about 30 people.

“And the last thing in the world I was expecting was an invitation to this birthday party. So not only does Lachlan invite me to this party but he gets to the party ... and he makes this speech and he says: ‘I also want to say it’s James’ birthday’.

“I’ve never forgotten it. It’s one of the nicest things that anyone’s ever done.”

In 2023, Packer donated $7 million of his fortune to support mental health research at the University of NSW in Sydney and establish the James Packer Chair in Mood Disorders.

“It is no secret that I have struggled with mental health problems in the past,” he said at the time.

“I am a passionate advocate of finding ways to improve mental health outcomes and I am hopeful that my contribution towards this research will generate positive outcomes in this field and in so doing significantly improve the lives of people battling mental health issues both in Australia and around the world.”

He has three children — Indigo, Emmanuelle and Jackson — with his ex-wife Erica Packer.

Watch 7NEWS Spotlight: Profiles in Hope on 7plus

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.