Love Island will give ‘eight weeks of therapy’ and ‘psychological assessments’ to contestants

With the return of Love Island 2019 in just two weeks, producers of the show have announced a new duty of care process to ensure the mental wellbeing of contestants.

These changes come after the deaths by suicide of two former Love Island contestants, 26-year-old Mike Thalassitis in March this year and 32-year-old Sophie Gradon in June last year.

The ITV show has faced criticism surrounding the lack of aftercare provided for the Islanders.

Mike Thalassitis was on the show in 2017

ITV have released a statement announcing the new process that will be implemented for series five:

– Psychological and medical assessments of all participants will be conducted prior to filming

– These assessments will be analysed by an independent doctor and a psychological consultant

– Discussions will also be conducted with each of the Islander's GPs in order to check their medical history

– After the show, contestants will take part in "bespoke training", which will provide them with advice on how to cope with social media, how to handle their finances and how to adjust to life when they return home

– "Proactive contact with Islanders" will continue for up to 14 months after the show has ended

– Love Island have vowed to provide at least eight therapy sessions for every contestant after the series

The show producers have said they aim to "manage cast expectations" of what it means to be propelled into the public eye and encourage all participants to "consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show."

Creative Director ITV Studios Entertainment, Richard Cowles, said in a statement:

"Due to the success of the show our Islanders can find themselves in the public eye following their appearance. We really want to make sure they have given real consideration to this and what appearing on TV entails.

"Discussing all of this with us forms a big part of the casting process and, ultimately, their decision to take part."

Former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Paul Litchfield, who specialises in mental health and was involved in the show last year, praised the changes the show-makers have implemented.

He said: “A high level of professional expertise has been engaged to provide comprehensive support, not only while young people are actively engaged with the show, but also for an extended period when they are adjusting to life thereafter.”

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