Alex Miller Opens Up About Depression Caused By Love Island

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With the passing of Love Island’s Mike Thalassitis, questions have started to be asked about the care reality stars are given when they leave. With this in mind, Access All Areas took a slightly more serious tone than normal. Our dynamic duo, Lizzie Cundy and Stephen Leng  were joined by Alex Miller – who was on the same series as Mike. Whilst in the studio, Alex admitted he has been close to the edge himself: “I did go through a dark patch, where I would look at bridges and think ‘Yeah, I could drive into that’.” 

This has clearly been an issue surrounding former Love Island contestants, as Mike was the second Love Island star to die, after appearing in the show. Sophie Gradon, sadly passed away last year.

Alex added: “I was in a dark place [after the show]. It was winter time, there was a lot of factors coming up, knowing that everything was sort of coming to an end like getting back into the old routine in the job.

Stephen asked if it was a direct effect of the show, Alex reflected: “It was going back into the reality bit of – this is what I am back into now. Everything has died a death, you’ve fallen off the cliff of reality fame. It’s not what it is cracked up to be.”

He continued: “I had a little rant, on Instagram. I went through a bit of a dark patch and luckily one of the producers follow me on Instagram saw the rant got in touch with me and put me back in touch with a psychiatrist. Looking back, all I needed to do was be forward and go talk to them.” Our hosts were relieved to hear, Alex has received therapy which has helped him move on with his life. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it, but after having ranted after answering a fans questions and speaking to the Love Island psychiatrist, it got me through it and gave me a plan on how to take my life forward and now we’re here. We’re all good!”

 

 

 Alex also defended the producers: “They can’t be pro-active all the time and keep chasing and keep chasing. There are so many contestants, it’s impossible for them to do.”

Lizzie added: “He [Mike] had a lot of exciting things happening. I mean, there was a lot written about him, people had said a lot of things about him – stories he said weren’t true – and that did get to him. I said to him ‘Read what people say about me! Try to flick it off’.  A teary eyed Lizzie then explained– how she hadn’t answered the phone to Mike a week and a half ago and the guilt it has caused her to feel awful: “I actually feel terrible.”

ITV has since announced they will be introducing bespoke social media and financial training, for all future contestants. As well as taking a more proactive approach in checking on former contestants.  A spokesman for the broadcaster said “The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the Islanders asking us for support. But for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis.”

Lizzie and Stephen were also joined by singer, AJ Bentley and winner of The Apprentice 2018 – Sian Gabbidon. 

We’ve had many love island guests on the show including; Tyla Carr, Harley Judge and, Laura Crane. They always bring such energy to the show, it’s awful to see them suffering. Many of our presenters are advocates for mental health such as; Calum McSwiggan, Nick Helm, Nathaniel Metcalfe and, Ian Boldsworth. 

Catch up on all this and more here.

Useful websites and helplines:
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this is a free number and will not appear on your bill.)
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk 

 

 

 


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