The new series of Love Island is set to see a major shake up for mental health reason
The mental wellbeing of Love Island contestants has increasingly taken centre stage in the ITV dating show after Islanders have been subjected to trolling and criticism during and after the show has aired.
Questions about whether the show bosses were doing enough to prepare and protect their stars for reality TV fame came under fire since former Love Island and Celebs Go Dating contestant, Mike Thalassitis, took his own life in 2019
Thalassitis is the second former Love Island contestant to die by suicide after appearing on the show. Sophie Gradon died in June 2018 - and Caroline Flack,
who presented the show, tragically took her own life in 2020. While suicide is tragically complex and impossible to pinpoint one single cause,
it has raised important questions about how vulnerable the young stars who appear on Love Island are and how much support they are offered before, during and after the experience.
And now, ahead of the Love Island Winter 2023 series, ITV has published details on the show’s duty of care processes with detailed welfare plans in place to support participants before, during and after filming.
The biggest shake-up is that contestants will be asked to pause social media activity for the duration of their time on the show. Their accounts “will remain dormant while they are in the villa,
so that nothing is published on their behalf.” Show bosses believe this new protocol will help “protect both the Islanders and their families from the adverse effects of social media.”