Warning: This post deals with mental health and may be triggering for some readers.
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Married at First Sight‘s Lauren has shared details of a worrying conversation she had with her ‘husband’ Matt and expressed concern about his mental health.
Speaking to Kyle and Jackie O on Tuesday morning, Lauren admitted she was rebelling against Nine by doing the interview.
She said she was worried about Matt’s well-being, especially given conversations the two had when the cameras weren’t around.
“I’m very sympathetic to the fact that Matt does suffer mental health issues,” she said.
“But there were a lot of things he said off camera that did concern me, and one of those that really stuck in my mind, on more than one occasion he actually said, ‘Loz, I feel like I don’t think I fit in on this earth. I believe I was abducted by aliens, and they’ve done something to my brain. Because my brain has been rewired differently, I feel like my brain hasn’t been the same since I was 15.’ And it really concerned me… Like, I didn’t know what to do.”
Speaking to Mamamia, Rachel Bowes from Lifeline Australia said: “Loz is right to be concerned about Matt with what he has said to her. Not being a qualified professional, she isn’t expected to diagnose a person’s mental state, however, research shows that relatives and friends are in a position to help.”
“If someone discloses that they are not well, the best thing to do is to take them seriously and offer support. Try to respond immediately in a supportive way and try to minimise the effect of future events that triggered that state,” she added.
“It is important that people remember that when someone you know is in emotional distress, you can offer to take them to a GP, or you could call a service like Lifeline on 13 11 14 for advice on what to do next.”
Lauren also said she had struggled with her own mental health in the wake of the show.
“I suffer anxiety… I’ve suffered anxiety for the last six years and I just feel like certain people with these mental health issues shouldn’t be put on a show like this.
“Even though it was our decision in the end, surely they have a duty of care to be like ‘you know what, I don’t think this person’s going to cope’.”
When asked how often producers had checked in on her, Lauren said “no comment”, but admitted she felt like she didn’t matter.
Lauren also said she was worried about how show ‘villain’ Ines was coping.
Speaking to Mamamia, an Endemol Shine Australia spokesperson said that all contestants on the show are regularly checked on.
“All participants are adults and remain in full control of the choices they make. They choose to apply to be on the show, choose to accept selection, and choose whether or not to continue in the experiment,” they said.
“During broadcast, we continue to reach out to every participant, including Lauren. They may choose not to respond to our contact and offers of support, and we respect their decision. But the offer of support remains for each and every participant. This always includes access to our show psychologist.
“Everyone makes their own decision about what they say and do. But, this experiment can be highly emotional and the participants’ reactions can often be unpredictable, even to themselves.”
On Sunday night’s episode Lauren and Matt became the first couple to leave this season of MAFS.
Contestants from previous seasons have spoken out about their mental health struggles following their appearances on the show.
Clare Verrall appeared on the series in 2016 and was open about suffering from PTSD following an attack the year before. She was matched with Jono, who had a quick temper, and the experience re-triggered it.
If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner or in Australia, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 for support or beyondblue at 1300 22 4636.
Top Comments
I'm wondering exactly who this "show" psychologist is, and how on earth they have deemed some of the contestants mentally fit enough to appear on this show, Cyrell especially. This psychologist is obviously incompetent and I wouldn't want treatment from them! Obviously the contestants are concerned and are trying to speak out. That should ring alarm bells.
I hope this ‘psychologist’ isn’t one of the ones from the show. They all sound dodgy af.
Let's be super generous and assume that the psychologists gave accurate assessments of each applicant: which ones do we think the producers are going to choose? The stable, sensible, rational and practical ones? Or the ones they seem to have actually chosen? Not enough people are asking the key question What is the purpose of this experiment? because it's undoubtedly and always has been "How do we boost the ratings" rather than "Help random people find love".