Montana Brown has revealed her secret battle with depression after Mike Thalassitis’ tragic death.
The Love Island star, 25, reflected on her mental health battle in an interview with The Sun on Friday where she discussed her late friend, who tragically took his own life at the age of 26 on 15 March 2019 following a battle with depression.
Admitting that she was plagued with thoughts of whether she could have ‘saved him’ as she said: ‘Losing Mike was the trigger. I used to wake up and feel like my heart was aching because I was so unbelievably sad.
‘I kept thinking “what if I could have saved him?”‘ Love Island’s Montana Brown revealed on Friday that she had a secret battle with depression after Mike Thalassitis’ tragic death
‘Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them in some way.
‘I felt so guilty. He had messaged me a couple of days before and I hadn’t responded, thinking I’d ring him at the weekend. I kept thinking “what if I could have saved him?”‘
Montana added she ‘ostracised’ herself from family and friends while struggling with her depression, and had little motivation to go outside or even eat.
Mike was found hanged in a park in March 2019 – after friends revealed he had been ‘in a dark place’ in the months leading up to his death.
RIP: Mike tragically took his own life at the age of 26 on 15 March 2019 (pictured in 2018) after friends revealed he had been ‘in a dark place’ in the months leading up to his death
Upset: Montana reflected, ‘Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them’
He was found dead in Edmonton, north London, the Metropolitan Police confirmed at the time. He was thought to have been struggling to come to terms with the death of his grandmother and was said to have been dealing with debt.
Montana appeared on ITV’s This Morning shortly after Mike’s death and discussed how Mike had texted her prior to his death but she didn’t reply.
‘I spoke to him two days before. But I’m kicking myself because he text me but I didn’t actually reply. I’m really bad on my phone. I wish I had replied,’ she said, through tears.
After Mike’s death, producers announced key changes to islanders’ duty of care and said all would be able to access therapy sessions, social media and financial training, and a minimum of 14 months of ‘proactive’ contact.
Candid: Reflecting on Mike’s (pictured in 2017) loss, Montana said: ‘I felt so guilty. He had messaged me a couple of days before and I hadn’t responded’
‘We are outlining today our welfare processes follow three key stages: pre-filming, filming and aftercare,’ creative Director ITV Studios Entertainment Richard Cowles said at the time.
READ RELATED: The Wanted singer Max George details suffering physical symptoms of depression
‘We are increasing our post filming support to help Islanders following their time in villa.’
It was reported earlier this year that Love Island bosses ramped up psychological testing in the search to find the next batch of singletons, after the tragic deaths of Mike, Sophie Gradon and host Caroline Flack.
Struggle: Mike was thought to have been struggling to come to terms with the death of his grandmother and was said to have been dealing with debt
Sophie took her own life aged 32 back in June 2018 after appearing on season two of the show two years prior. Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong took his own life just 20 days later aged 25.
In December 2019, Caroline left her role presenting the show in the wake of her arrest over an alleged assault on her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
The presenter was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, London, on February 15, 2020, aged 40. She too had taken her own life.
Changes: It was reported earlier this year Love Island bosses have ramped up psychological testing, after the tragic deaths of Mike, Sophie Gradon (pictured) and host Caroline Flack
The Sun claimed once past the audition stage, potential islanders will undergo three rounds of testing to ensure they will be able to cope with starring on the ITV2 show and the subsequent fame afterwards.
The publication also stated stringent measures now require the cast to provide their doctors’ details and list and medications they are taking.
The insider added that singletons will be closely monitored with support provided to those anyone who needs it.
Devastating: Caroline (pictured in 2019) was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, London, on February 15, 2020. She too had taken her own life
A spokesperson for ITV told MailOnline: ‘The processes and the support offered to Islanders have necessarily evolved as the show has developed and grown in popularity.’
Love Island has not aired since February 2020 after both the summer 2020 and winter 2021 editions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For confidential support or advice call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org.
Off the air: Love Island has not aired since February 2020 after both the summer 2020 and winter 2021 editions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Source: Daily Mail
