When reality TV shows such as Love Island are splashed across our screens it’s hard to see that there is a lot more behind the glitz and glam. The truth is, it isn’t all glitz and glam 24/7. How could it be?

The harsh reality of, well, ‘reality’ TV is that despite what we see on our screens or read on our Twitter feeds, these make-believe lives do not exist. 

There is immense pressure put on those who work in the reality TV world to be entertaining. Despite putting on a show for viewers, some men and women who take part in these shows come under a great amount of fire from the public.

Unfortunately, such critical comments eventually take their toll on these upcoming celebrities. Dealing with fame can be difficult and support from the production teams is crucial. 

In recent years, there has been a huge rise in the links between mental health, suicide and reality TV stars. The truth behind these desirable lives is dark. The demands and expectations are too much to deal with. These people are only human after all. 

There are no mental stability tests to ensure that these contestants can take part in these competitive, catty reality TV shows. So those that are already unstable, the added strain of the public eye can send their mental health into a downward spiral. 

The long hours of shooting for the show, which can sometimes mean a lack of sleep mixed with a whole lot of alcohol is bound to make these drastic effects on one’s mental stability. 

Despite alcohol being partly to blame for the influence on the effects of the mind, many reality TV stars turn to alcohol and drugs to comfort themselves and make the darkness disappear. 

However, tempting this solution may be, it has been proven in recent years that drugs and alcohol are definitely not the answer. 

Mike Thalassitis, or better known for his nickname ‘muggy Mike’ (which by the way, probably didn’t help with the state of his mental health), took his own life last year whilst under the influence of cocaine. 

Something that seems so simple and harmless to joke about, can have serious effects on the other person.

Particularly for men in the limelight, there is a stigma because they don’t want to admit that they are having problems. 

In front of the screens, these stars portray themselves as larger than life. From an outside point of view, we see no issues. For a moment, we can forget about the struggles and problems with everyday life. 

All we see is the lavish lifestyles these stars live. We don’t see the mental breakdowns, the depression or the anxiety that comes with it.

With the rise of negative mental health impacts on the victims of the real reality of reality TV, there should be a conscious effort made from both the production teams and the viewers of these shows to prevent serious mental issues.