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

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

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Love Island star Maura Higgins says speaking out about her mental health issues in public for the first time was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
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Love Island star Maura Higgins says speaking out about her mental health issues in public for the first time was like a “weight had been lifted off her shoulders”.

The TV personality previously admitted that she struggled with “dark thoughts” after leaving her native Ireland and moving to London, where she soon established a career in media.

During an emotional interview with Paul C. Brunson we need to talk In the October podcast, Higgins, 34, said she was exposed to the public with “no one she could trust” after her first appearance on Love Island in 2019.

But she believes the decision to speak so openly about her mental health battle has been beneficial, despite her initial fears about being open.

She told Heart radio: “I was absolutely petrified talking openly about my mental health. I can be a pretty closed book about things like that, but I’m glad I did it.

“I was very, very nervous about doing it, but now I think, ‘Oh my God, I should have done this a long time ago.'” It’s like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders.

Love Island star Maura Higgins says speaking out about her mental health issues in public for the first time was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

During an emotional interview with the We Need To Talk podcast in October, Higgins admitted that he struggled with

During an emotional interview with the We Need To Talk podcast in October, Higgins admitted that she struggled with “dark thoughts” after leaving her native Ireland and moving to London.

‘I feel like it’s nice to talk like everyone else says this, but it actually helps a lot. You know, about any little thing in your life, it’s good to open up.’

Higgins also credited her mother Sharon for giving her the opportunity to vent when she was feeling down.

She said: ‘Mum has always been incredibly supportive, God bless her, that woman is like my therapist. She has to listen to everything.

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

In October, Higgins admitted she “didn’t want to be here anymore” after struggling to adapt to life outside the Love Island villa.

‘The paparazzi followed me everywhere. I didn’t have clothes. “I had a suitcase with just Love Island bikinis that were probably crunchy,” she said.

“I had nothing, absolutely nothing. I lived in a hotel in London because that was where all my work was and I was very overloaded. There was no rest.

“It was going from one thing to another, like, on the radio, to this photo shoot for you to sign with brands.”

But she believes the decision to speak so openly about her mental health battle has been beneficial, despite her initial fears about being open.

But she believes the decision to speak so openly about her mental health battle has been beneficial, despite her initial fears about being open.

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

The complete duty of care process is described below:

Pre-filming and shooting

– Registered mental health professional involved throughout the series, from pre-filming to aftercare.

– Extensive medical and psychological assessments prior to filming, including assessments by an independent doctor, a psychological counselor and reports from each islander’s GP to verify medical history.

– Potential Islanders must confidentially disclose any medical history that is relevant to their inclusion in the Village and the production’s ability to provide them with a suitable environment.

– Management of cast expectations: detailed explanations, both verbally and in writing, of the implications, both positive and negative, of participating in the series are given to potential cast members throughout the casting process and are reinforced in the contract to be clear.

– The cast are told that they must consider all the potential implications of participating 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. they.

– Senior field team has received training in mental health first aid.

– A wellness team dedicated exclusively to the islanders both during and after the show.

Aftercare

– Personalized training on managing social networks and advice on finances and adaptation to life at 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 ending the series in which they have appeared, with additional help where appropriate.

– We encourage Islanders to get management to represent them after the show and to manage them should they decide to participate in other television shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities.

– Personalized training on managing social networks and advice on finances and adaptation to life at 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 ending the series in which they have appeared, with additional help where appropriate.

– We encourage Islanders to get management to represent them after the show and to manage them should they decide to participate in other television shows, advertising campaigns or other public appearance opportunities.

Appearing on Paul C. Brunson's podcast in October, Higgins broke down in tears and admitted that

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 fame on Love Island.

And he added: ‘I had a nervous breakdown. I had dark thoughts, very dark thoughts. And it got to a point where I don’t think I even told my mother. I tell my mom everything. I didn’t tell him how bad it was.

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

‘A lot was expected of me. And because I was there alone, I thought, “I just don’t have anyone to help me.”

Higgins joins a growing number of former Love Island contestants in publicly admitting to mental health issues after the show.

The TV personality, who finished fourth on the UK show’s fifth season in 2019, is now Love Island USA’s social media ambassador.

He 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 lived in a hotel in London because that was where all my work was and I was very overloaded. There was no rest

“I had nothing, absolutely nothing. I lived in a hotel in London because that was where all my work was and I was very overloaded. There was no rest

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

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

LOVE ISLAND: ALL THE STARS ALIGN

1736246404 695 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

GABY ALLEN

AGE: 32

SERIES 3 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

Because it’s the trenches that are out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it’s been 8 years since I entered the Villa. Now I run my businesses and have grown a lot… but I still haven’t found “the one.”

1736246405 281 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

KAZ CROSSLEY

AGE: 29

SERIES 5 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

The first experience I had was amazing and also a lot of fun! Now I’m even more mature, so I’m ready to find a relationship.

1736246405 828 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

THOMAS SCOTT

AGE: 36

SERIES 2 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I have been on a huge journey over the last five years; I have been working on sobriety, personal growth, personal development, when I first entered the Villa I was still a child.

1736246406 152 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

RONNIE VINT

AGE: 28

SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I learned a lot from my experience last time. In Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I have grown a lot.

1736246406 744 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

LUCA BISH

AGE: 25

SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

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

1736246406 826 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

MARCEL SOMERVILLE

AGE: 39

SERIES 3 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I thought I had completed love and found my happily ever after, but the universe had a different plan. Somehow, every time my life is at a crossroads, I get the chance to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?

1736867090 396 Love Island SPOILER Gabby and Marcel discuss sharing a bed

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?

Going into the early days of the show, I feel like I have a great chance of finding someone and hopefully leaving the Villa potentially with a girlfriend.

1736246407 917 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

CURTIS PRITCHARD

AGE: 28

SERIES 5 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

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

1736246407 501 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

Nas will enter the villa almost a year after separating from his girlfriend Eva Zapico, four years after meeting in the villa.

NAS MAJEED

AGE: 28

SERIES 6 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

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

1736246408 523 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

OLIVIA HAWKINS

AGE: 29

SERIES 9 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’m still single and approaching thirty, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a good man. People misunderstand my honesty and how real I am.

1736246408 478 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

CATHERINE AGBAJE

AGE: 24

SERIES 10 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

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

1736246408 606 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

INDIA REYNOLDS

AGE: 34

YesERIES 5 ISLAND OF LOVE

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 through apps, so I’m looking forward to meeting people in the Village.

1736246409 202 Love Island All Stars line up REVEALED as 12 iconic Islanders

ELMA PAZAR

AGE: 32

SERIES 5 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

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

1736867093 102 Love Island SPOILER Gabby and Marcel discuss sharing a bed

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

AGE: 30

SERIES 9 ISLAND OF LOVE

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to go back to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and it has a special place in my heart. It is a place where I laughed, cried and learned a lot. The fact that there is an opportunity to do it again, why not?

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