How the Love Island aftercare procedures changed in the aftermath of Mike Thalassitis' death

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

The Curse of Love Island, a new documentary exploring the negative impacts appearing on the hit show can have on contestants, has been released.

Streaming on Amazon Prime from Sunday, 26 July, the documentary tells the story of former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, who each committed suicide within nine months of each other in the wake of their time on the reality TV programme.

Through their stories - and interviews with former contestants, friends of Gradon and Thalassitis, journalists and psychologists - the documentary examines the dangers of shooting to stardom on reality TV and how abuse on social media and increased scrutiny in the public eye can have catastrophic effects on a person's mental health.

ITV introduced duty of care protocols in 2019

Sophie Gradon died in 2018 (Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage)

Following the deaths of Gradon and Thalassitis, in June 2018 and March 2019 respectively, ITV introduced extensive duty of care procedures in 2019, which are offered to every person who enters the famous villa.

Last updated in 2023, the protocols are offered before, during and after filming.

They begin weeks before a contestant enters the villa to prepare them for being thrust into the public eye, training on how to cope while being filmed 24/7 and on inclusivity.

There is support from mental health professionals throughout the process.

Aftercare includes advice on social media and finances, a minimum of eight therapy sessions and continued contact for at least 14 months after the series they appeared in has concluded.

The procedures aim to measure expectations for contestants, highlighting the bad as well as the good results of appearing on such a popular show, and avoiding another tragedy.

Love Island is currently in its 13th season since it was relaunched in 2015 and contestants are still coming in for criticism online, with Priya Jaswal accused of 'job-shaming' co-star Elicia Bailey on Thursday's episode.

The season finale is on Monday, 27 July, and afterwards the duty of care procedures will be reviewed again, as they are after every series, taking on board feedback from contestants.

“The measures put in place to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Islanders continue to evolve in the light of experience and advances in best practice," Dr Paul Litchfield said in 2023.

"Love Island is seen by many as the benchmark for the genre and its rigorous, evidence-based approach has helped to raise standards across the industry.”

Love Island asks contestants to pause their social media accounts while on the show

Thalassitis died in 2019 (Photo by Jeff Spicer/WireImage)

A new protocol that was formally introduced in 2023 following a trial asks participants to suspend the use of their social media accounts during their time on the show.

It was common for friends or family members to run the accounts of contestants while they were away from their phones in the villa, but that left them exposed to the darker side of social media.

Series 5 contestant Amy Hart said: “I didn’t really take into account when I went into the villa that although my best friend was really excited to run my social media account, it was me that signed up to do the show, not my family and not my friends.

"But it was them that had to read the death threats and it was them that had to read the horrible messages. Whereas when I came out, I came out to a great reaction because of the way that I left, and they were the ones who had a hard time when I was in there.”

Love Island's full duty of care protocols are:

Pre Filming and Filming

• Registered mental health professional engaged throughout the whole series - from pre-filming to aftercare.
• Thorough pre-filming psychological and medical assessments including assessments by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander’s own GP to check medical history.
• Potential Islanders are required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production’s ability to provide a suitable environment for them.
• Managing cast expectations: detailed explanations both verbally and in writing of the implications, both positive and negative, of taking part in the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and reinforced within the contract so it is clear.
• Cast are told they should consider all the potential implications of taking part in the show and work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them, to ensure they feel it is right for them.
• Senior Team on the ground have received training in Mental Health First Aid.
• A welfare team solely dedicated to the Islanders both during the show and after.

Aftercare

• Bespoke training on dealing with social media and advice on finance and adjusting to life back home.
• A minimum of eight therapy sessions will be offered to each Islander when they return home.
• Proactive contact with Islanders for a period of 14 months after the series in which they have appeared has ended, with additional help provided where applicable.
• We encourage Islanders to secure management to represent them after the show and manage them should they choose to take part in other TV shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.