Alert – Maura Higgins gives mental health update after admitting she had ‘dark thoughts’ and ‘didn’t want to be here anymore’ following Love Island stint – News Alerts

Love Island star Maura Higgins says discussing her mental health struggles in public for the first time felt like a ‘weight had been lifted.’

The TV personality previously admitted she struggled with ‘dark thoughts’ after leaving her native Ireland and relocating to London, where she soon established a career in the media.

During an emotional interview with Paul C. Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast in October, Higgins, 34, said she was thrust into the public eye with ‘no-one she could trust’ after her first appearance on Love Island in 2019.

But she believes the decision to discuss her mental health battle so openly has been beneficial, despite her initial fears about opening up.

She told Heart radio: ‘I was absolutely petrified to open up about my mental health. I can be quite a closed book with like stuff like that, but I’m glad I did it.

‘I was very, very nervous to do it, but now I’m like ‘oh my God I should have done that a long time ago.’ It’s like a weight lifted.

Love Island star Maura Higgins says discussing her mental health struggles in public for the first time felt like a ‘weight had been lifted’

During an emotional interview with the We Need To Talk podcast in October, Higgins admitted she struggled with ‘dark thoughts’ after leaving her native Ireland and relocating to London

‘I feel like it’s good to talk like everyone says this, but it actually does really, really help. You know, about any little thing in your life, it’s just good to open up.’

Higgins also credited her mother Sharon for giving her an opportunity to offload whenever she’s feeling low.

She said: ‘Mammy’s just always been an amazing support, like bless her, that woman is like my therapist. She has to hear it all.

‘But it’s good, it’s good to have that close relationship, so you can just talk about whatever you want and let everything out.’

Speaking in October, Higgins admitted she ‘didn’t want to be here anymore’ after struggling to adjust to life outside the Love Island villa.

‘I was chased by the paps everywhere I went. I had no clothes. I had a suitcase with just Love Island bikinis that were probably crusty,’ she said.

‘I had nothing, absolutely nothing. I was living out of a hotel in London because that’s where all my work was and it was way overloaded. There was no break.

‘It was going from one thing to the next, like, to radio to this photo shoot to you’ve signed with brands.’

But she believes the decision to discuss her mental health battle so openly has been beneficial, despite her initial fears about opening up

Love Island’s duty of care protocols in full – ahead of the summer series

The full duty of care process is outlined below:

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.

– 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.

Appearing on Paul C. Brunson’s podcast in October, Higgins broke down in tears and admitted she ‘didn’t want to be here’ after her sudden Love Island fame

She added: ‘I had a breakdown. I had dark thoughts, very dark thoughts. And it got to a stage where I don’t even think I told my mam. I tell my mum everything. I didn’t tell her how bad it was.

‘I didn’t want to be here anymore. I thought that was going to be the best thing.

‘There was so much expected from me. And because I was there on my own, I was like, “I’ve just nobody to help.”‘

Higgins joins a growing number of former Love Island contestants to publicly admit to mental health issues following the show.

The TV personality, who finished in fourth place on the fifth series of the UK show in 2019, is now the social media ambassador for Love Island USA.

She has since appeared on Dancing on Ice, This Morning and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

‘I had nothing, absolutely nothing. I was living out of a hotel in London because that’s where all my work was and it was way overloaded. There was no break’

Higgins became a household name after appearing on ITV2 show Love Island in 2019 (pictured)

LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP

GABBY ALLEN

AGE: 32

SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.

KAZ CROSSLEY

AGE: 29

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship.

SCOTT THOMAS

AGE: 36

SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’ve been on a massive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.

RONNIE VINT

AGE: 28

SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.

LUCA BISH

AGE: 25

SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone.

MARCEL SOMERVILLE

AGE: 39

SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?

CASEY O’GORMAN

AGE: 28

SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND AND LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS SERIES 1

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

Getting to go in within the first few days of the show, I feel like I’ve got such a big opportunity to find someone and hopefully come out of the Villa potentially with a girlfriend.

CURTIS PRITCHARD

AGE: 28

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.

Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa

NAS MAJEED

AGE: 28

SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.

OLIVIA HAWKINS

AGE: 29

SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am.

CATHERINE AGBAJE

AGE: 24

SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to find love again, I want to give it another shot because it works!

INDIA REYNOLDS

AGE: 34

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down.

I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa.

ELMA PAZAR

AGE: 32

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

AGE: 30

SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart. It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not!