Amid concerns for participants' mental health, reality show Love Island launches in Canada

A British reality show that's been called "Tinder on TV" and sparked a governmentinquiry in the U.K.following mental health concerns is now making its wayto North American TV screens.

Love Island, which stars attractive 20-something singles looking for love, has reeledin millions of viewers in the U.K. during its past five seasons. Its success at attracting young audiences and generating major revenue spawned international versionsinAustralia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norwayand Sweden. Now, the controversial series will air five nights a week in the U.S. and Canada starting July 9.

"It's a little trashier than you might see on a regular reality show," saidCalum Marsh, a National Post journalist who has written frequently about reality TV."And it's proud of that trashiness and it's meant to be kind of like the ultimate guilty pleasure."

Love Island contestants livein a Spanish villa, where they have tocouple up for love, friendship or money. A cash prize is the main motivation butchallenges along the way force pairs to swap, switch or "re-couple."

Singles are dumped from the island and public voting can also remove players. Like previous popular reality TV shows such as Survivor, Big Brother and The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, participants are under constant surveillance.

"It kind of is a breeding ground for the worst elements of human nature," said Marsh.

So much so, in fact, that backlash against the show for itsvulgar language, abusive behaviour and unrealistic body portrayals isn'teven the worst of it.

Suicides spark British government inquiry

Two past Love Island contestants took their own lives after appearing on the show.

This, along with a third suicide on the now cancelled The Jeremy Kyle Show, led the Britishparliament's digital, culture, media and sport committee to launchan inquiry into reality TV late last month.

It's currently investigatingwhether television networks offer guests enough support after they appear on reality programs.

You sign up for one of these shows and you don't know, first of all, how successful the show will be, and you don't know how successful you will be on the show. And the negativity just comes along with it."- Kevin Wendt, former

Since the deaths and subsequent inquiry, Love Island producershave said they willincreasepsychological supportfor contestants after they leave the show. Assistance will include eight therapy sessions, training on how to handle social media and financial management support.

Honey Langcaster-James, who worked as the resident psychologist on one ofLove Island'searlier seasons, saidthe time is right to "review" the kind of mental health resources available on television shows, whether they're scripted or reality-style.

"We don't fully understand yet how best to support people with the change when someone comes off a reality show,"said Langcaster-James, who has also provided contestant commentaryon episodes of the BritishBig Brother franchise. Pressure related to their social media profiles can impact former participants on a daily basis, she said.

"People seem to think that just because you live in the public eye or you're on TV or you're in the movies that somehow you've got this amazing life and you should be able to weather any criticism that comes your way because you've chosen a public life."

'I found myself to be really depressed'

But not everyone even those who sign up for the gig isprepared for what can happen after the show goes to air.

Canadian firefighter Kevin Wendt, who appeared onThe Bachelorette Canada in 2016 andtwo American Bachelor spinoffs,understands the unanticipated perils of reality TV. He saidthe non-stop feedback from those invested in a seriescan be debilitating.

"You sign up for one of these shows and you don't know, first of all, how successful the show will be, and you don't know how successful you will be on the show. And the negativity just comes along with it."

Wendt saidhis first reality TV experience forced him to seek therapy afterwards in order to cope with the "reality show bubble" contestants are placed in and the toll viewer backlash can take.

"When you just read a few comments online that you're this, and that, it can really ruin your day and it can really push you into a depression. And I found myself to be pretty depressed."

The former reality star, who met his current significant other onBachelor in Paradise,saidhe's since learned to prioritize mental health and feels much better. He also believes the current fallout could serve as a cautionary tale for wannabe celebrities.

"This will maybe get people to think about [the repercussions] before they sign up," he said.

Where to get help:

Canada Suicide Prevention ServiceToll-free: 1-833-456-4566. Text: 45645. Chat:crisisservicescanada.ca.

In French:Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)

Kids Help Phone: Toll-free: 1-800-668-6868. Chat:kidshelpphone.ca.App: Always There by Kids Help Phone.

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.

Here are some warning signs:

• Suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse.
• Purposelessness.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling trapped.
• Hopelessness and helplessness.
• Withdrawal.
• Anger.
• Recklessness.
• Mood changes.