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

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.

– 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.

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.

Ex islander Mike Thalassitis hanged himself in 2019 after an alcohol and cocaine binge.

Ex islander Mike Thalassitis hanged himself in 2019 after an alcohol and cocaine binge

Toxicology results showed there was cocaine, ethanol and paracetamol in Mike’s system at the time of his death. Pictured, his photos for series three of Love Island

Model Sophie Gradon appeared on the second series of the reboot and was found dead in June 2018

He had left harrowing notes to his family in a book next to his body, which ‘clearly set out his intention that his life should come to an end’, an inquest heard.

His death was ruled a suicide after toxicology results showed he took a lethal cocktail of cocaine, alcohol and paracetamol before he hanged himself.

Two months earlier, an inquest into the death of fellow Love Island star Sophie Gradon found she also hanged herself following a cocaine and alcohol binge.

Model Sophie appeared on the second series of the reboot and was found dead in June 2018.

Mike’s death helped to spark national discussion over the welfare of reality star and the aftercare provided to those who are suddenly thrown into the spotlight.

In 2020, the show’s original presenter Caroline Flack also died by hanging hours after she was told she would face a trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend.

Higgins, 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)