Mike Thalassitis death: Love Island stars urge show to provide better mental health support

‘People’s lives change overnight and no one can mentally be prepared for it’

(Getty Images)

Love Island stars have urged the show to provide better mental health support for its contestants following the news of Mike Thalassitis's death.

On Saturday, it was reported Thalassitis had been found dead at the age of 26. Police have confirmed his death isn't being treated as suspicious.

The reality television personality, who starred on Love Island in 2017 and Celebs Go Dating in 2018, had recently been caring full-time for his grandmother before her death at the age of 94.

Following Thalassitis's passing, several former Love Island participants have been coming forward to criticise the lack of mental health care they received after exiting the show.

Dom Lever, who took part in Love Island in the same year as Thalassitis, claimed that the wellbeing of some contestants is prioritised above others once the series has ended.

"You get a psychological evaluation before and after you go on the show but hands down once you are done on the show you don’t get any support unless you’re number one," he tweeted.

Malin Andersson, who participated in the show in 2016, condemned the inadequate support she received from Love Island producers when her one-month-old daughter, Consy, passed away in January.

"I got flowers from the producers when my daughter died. No f****** phone call. No support, or help," she tweeted.

"If I didn't have a strong head on me that my mum passed down to me, I wouldn't have been able to cope with this all."

Andersson continued, imploring others to "reach out to somebody" if they feel "alone" or "sad".

One of Andersson's Love Island co-stars, Kady McDermott, explained the detrimental impact instant fame can have when participants leave the villa.

"Hopefully going forward reality shows will help more with the aftermath of being on one, because I can say it definitely didn't happen after my series when lots of us needed it," she tweeted.

"People's lives change overnight and no one can mentally be prepared for it. The good and the bad."

On Sunday, Thalassitis's Love Island co-star and friend Montana Brown penned a tribute to him on Instagram.

Brown said she was "heartbroken" that she couldn't provide Thalassitis with the help he needed, adding that she'd known he'd been in a "dark place" for a few months.

“I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more to help you. I have so much love for you Mike and I will never forget you. Sleep tight darling and I miss you so much already," she wrote.

For confidential support on mental health call Samaritans free from any phone, at any time, on 116 123 (UK & ROI) or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US call 1-800-273-TALK or chat online.