Koh Lanta, Star Academy, Married at First Sight… Here is what is in place for the mental health of candidates

In Koh Lanta, adventurers can stay more than forty days filming. Moreover, overnight, they go from their comfortable accommodation to survival on an island… They don't have enough to sleep well, they lack food, they are far from their loved ones and yet have to go through one or another ordeal. If it was often their dream to do the show, it remains a big upheaval for them. The same goes for other adventure programs like Beijing Express or even The Island.

Furthermore, even if we think less about it, dating shows can also have consequences on mental health such as Love is in the meadow or even Married at first sight. Indeed, for candidates looking for love it is sometimes difficult to let go and trust. In The Voice or even in La Star Academy, we find young talents who have only one dream in mind: to become a singer. But, very quickly, they who were initially anonymous, are immersed in the world of show business in addition to being very followed on social networks. This rapid and emerging notoriety can be complicated to manage. Follow-up after filming, psychological support… Here is what is put in place to preserve the mental health of television candidates.

Koh Lanta, Beijing Express, The Island… The mental health of candidates taken care of in adventure shows

Pour Koh Lanta, there are psychologists who are present during the castings. Indeed, through an interview with potential candidates for the program, they determine whether or not they are suitable to participate in the adventure. Additionally, once filming begins, selected candidates are not abandoned. A psychologist is present on site, in particular to speak with the candidates once their torch has been extinguished. This psychological monitoring continues even after the broadcast. Alexia Laroche-Joubert, the general director of Banijay France which produces the show, told PureMédias: “Once back in France, the competitors have the psychologist’s cell phone and can contact her as they wish. If a competitor doesn't call, she regularly calls herself to get news and chat.”

The same goes for Beijing Express, “We accompany them on their return, then when it is broadcast we interact with them every week. They can call a psychologist if they ask”producer Thierry Guillaume told us during the press conference for the twentieth season. Indeed, Stéphane Rotenberg explained that this was really necessary by revealing: “When we come home, when we relive everyday life, we are destabilized, the return to France is always special because the normal rhythm seems really calm”. Nathalie Marquay paid the price on her return from The Island. “At the end of the adventure, I had a beautiful room with air conditioning and shower I couldn't sleep in the bed, I slept on the balcony because I needed to feel the air, the sounds ”, she told us during the program's press conference. Post-emission psychological monitoring is therefore sometimes necessary to learn to live normally again.

Love is in the meadow, Married at first sight… Taking care of the mental health of candidates in dating shows

Looking for love can be a difficult thing to do, even more so when it's all being filmed for television. Indeed, it is not only in adventure shows that we find psychologists. The production of Love is in the meadow also uses a therapist during castings. She is present throughout the process alongside the candidates. “They can reach her at any time,” producer Gabriella Mather told Le Point. But that's not all: this psychologist also analyzes the profiles of suitors and gives her opinion to best help farmers. A system reminiscent of Married at first sight where, this time, psychologists are seen in the show. They are there to advise and guide television candidates but if they need it, they can also contact them off-site.

In addition, taking care of the mental health of candidates is also a priority during castings. Indeed, Clément, who passed the castings for the show before withdrawing, told us that he had spent a whole day with the experts. He then saw a psychologist as well as two people from the legal service. “They warned me that I was going to be exposed and that it could have an impact on my private and professional life,” he explained to us. Words that reassured the potential candidate. Thus, whether they have found love or not, dating show candidates are psychologically supported before, during and after the broadcast.

The Voice, Star Academy… Support for the mental health of young candidates in music shows

As you will have understood, there are very often psychologists available for television show candidates. This is all the more the case when it comes to young talents like in The Voice Kids. All children who appear for blind auditions have seen a psychologist alongside their parents beforehand. In addition, the coaches make sure to protect participants who are between 6 and 15 years old as much as possible. “The jurors sing (…), they get up and they do something. There is always a personal memory”confided presenter Nikos Aliagas to Puremédias. The Voice candidates, who are older, also have an interview with a psychologist after the auditions. “This medical appointment allows us to know if certain candidates need special support. If this is the case, we put in place a specific protocol to help them experience their participation well. Candidates are taken into consideration both humanly and artistically”confided Pascal Guix, producer of The Voice to Gala.

The experience of Star Academy can also be complicated for students, especially when they leave. But, Louis, candidate for the 2023 season, confided to Télé Loisirs: “It really is a family cocoon, you are not left unprepared behind”, adding: “We have a psychological interview to try to digest and understand what has just happened. because casually, it happens very quickly, you are eliminated and you go out”. Thus, we understand that whatever the show, the candidates are supported or can ask to be if something becomes too difficult for them to live with, whether at the start of the experience or afterwards.