James Packer has reportedly begged his estranged second wife Erica to ‘take him back’ after succumbing to a volley of ‘mental health issues’ and sensationally quitting as director of Crown Resorts.
Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to reconcile with his second wife, who mothered his three children, Packer has also checked into one of the top psychiatric facilities in the United States.
The Pavilion at Boston’s McLean Hospital, an 11-bed facility where the embattled business mogul will receive treatment, charges $5000 a night for its exclusive 14-day program, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Packer checked in on Thursday night, accompanied by his elderly mother Ros and friend Guy Jallan.
James Packer (pictured) checked into an exclusive mental health facility in Boston on Thursday night after sensationally quitting as director of Crown Resorts
Packer is also trying to reconcile with his second wife Erica, who mothered his three children
Joined by his mother Ros and friend Guy Jallan, Packer checked in to The Pavilion, where he will undergo testing and treatment for $5000 AUD a night
The luxury facility is considered the gold standard in US mental health care. Former patients of McLean Hospital, which houses The Pavilion, include Sylvia Plath and Ray Charles
McLean Hospital is considered the best mental health treatment centre in the United States, and Boston Globe journalist Alex Beam told the Telegraph the facility was ‘the real deal’, not a usual destination for celebrities putting up a front.
‘McLean is a medical facility and not a fake medical facility like some of these spas in Arizona. Harvey Weinstein would not fit in there,’ he explained.
‘It’s for people who can spare no expense. It’s not where you hide out from the paparazzi or avoid a judge.’
The Pavilion’s website says the residential program is for those 18 and older who are ‘experiencing significant difficulties with symptoms of mood instability (unipolar depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety), psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment, co-occurring substance use, and self-destructive or self-injurious behavior, such that their ability to function is significantly compromised’.
During his stay, Packer will have access to psychotherapy, family therapy, medical testing, including a sleep study and neuropsychological testing. If needed, the program is also equipped to provide genetic testing, electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
He will be given a private room in the luxury facility, with access to a gym, yoga classes, private chefs, and a limousine service to take him to his off-site appointments.
Sylvia Plath was a patient of McLean Hospital, as were musician Ray Charles and mathematician John Nash.
The pair are believed to remain on good terms, with the family spending time together in Aspen
Despite Packer’s luxurious surroundings, which include a private bedroom and a limousine service to take him to off-site appointments, the business mogul will undergo legitimate treatment. The Pavilion is a medical facility, Boston Globe journalist Alex Beam said, not somewhere celebrities hide out to put up a front of receiving treatment
Ms Packer has reportedly declined to rekindle their romance after creating a stable life for her family in Los Angeles
Friends also allege Erica does not wish to expose her children – Indigo, 9, Jackson, 8, and Emmanuelle, 5 – to their father’s ‘seismic’ mood swings
In addition to seeking help with his mental health, Packer is also believed to be seeking the support of his ex-wife, who mothered his three children.
The 50-year-old has made multiple attempts to reconcile with Erica Packer, who has turned him down, The Daily Telegraph earlier reported.
Packer is reportedly wanting to ‘turn back the clock’ by reuniting with his second wife in the hopes he can pick up the pieces the dark cloud of depression tore apart.
‘Turning back the clock five years might be what James wants but it won’t help Erica,’ a family friend told the publication
‘She has finally got her life together and has created a stable life in Los Angeles for her kids.’
Friends also allege Erica does not wish to expose her children – Indigo, 9, Jackson, 8, and Emmanuelle, 5 – to their father’s ‘seismic’ mood swings.
Erica’s snub is unsurprising after Packer left the model to pursue bachelorhood and to expand his casino empire.
‘He made friends only with people he believed could help him generate money and jettisoned everyone else. He became ruder, more obnoxious, more poorly behaved than he had ever been before,’ a former friend alleges.
It is believed Packer has come to the belated realisation his ex-wife offered ‘support’ and ‘stability’ to his turbulent life in the public eye.
It is believed Packer has come to the belated realisation his ex-wife offered ‘support’ and ‘stability’ to his turbulent life in the public eye.
Despite rejecting her ex-husband’s advances, Erica has long been a pillar of support for the casino tycoon
They are often photographed together and appear to get along well as they co-parent their three children
Despite rejecting her ex-husband’s advances, Erica has long been a pillar of support for the casino tycoon.
They are often photographed together and appear to get along well as they co-parent their three children.
The 40-year-old brunette visited Packer in Aspen at Christmas as he holidayed with socialite Kylie Lim.
James has been unlucky in love, with his recent failed engagement to Mariah Carey reportedly costing him between $6 and $13 million.
He married his first wife Jodhi Meares in 1999 and the couple separated in 2002.
Packer made his mental health struggle public upon deciding to step down as director of his beloved casino business.
‘Mr Packer is suffering from mental health issues. At this time he intends to step back from all commitments,’ Mr Packer’s private investment vehicle CPH said in a statement.
Packer stepped down as director of Crown Resorts, citing ‘mental health issues’ (Crown pictured)
James has been unlucky in love, with his recent failed engagement to Mariah Carey (pictured) reportedly costing him between $6 and $13 million
One of Australia’s richest people, with a personal fortune estimated at $4.1 billion, Packer announced on Wednesday he would ‘step back from all commitments’ indefinitely.
The only son of late media mogul Kerry then flew to Mexico following his shock resignation.
His mother Roslyn Packer, 80, was also seen getting off a direct flight from Sydney in Los Angeles.