Egli Tako's departure from "Big Brother VIP" for health reasons has raised questions about how this format treats the mental well-being of the contestants. Egli publicly admitted that he had experienced a very bad breakup with Olsi and that he had sought psychological help even before entering the house. This brings to attention a broader issue: how strict are the selection procedures to ensure that the residents can cope with the pressure of the game? Does the production have clear measures to protect the mental health of the contestants, or does this aspect remain a secondary detail for the sake of the spectacle?
How does mental health assessment work in theory on international reality shows?
In countries where "Big Brother" has been a consolidated format for years, such as the US and Canada, there are strict standards for selecting contestants, including:
• Psychological assessments: Competitors undergo detailed tests and interviews to determine if they are emotionally stable for the challenges of isolation.
• Complete medical check-up: In addition to physical health, previous histories of mental problems are also analyzed to avoid worsening their condition while staying at home.
• Supervision during the program: In many cases, there are psychologists available to consult with the contestants and if a person shows any signs of concern, immediate intervention is provided.
These measures aim to prevent severe emotional episodes that can affect not only the individual, but also the dynamics of the house. Although each country that receives the license adapts it to its own context, "Big Brother" always advises against accepting people who have had severe mental health crises into the house.
What about in Albania?
In theory, "Big Brother Albania" should follow similar standards for selecting contestants. The process includes:
1. Psychological and medical assessment: Candidates are supposed to be interviewed by professionals to assess whether they are emotionally capable of handling the isolation and stress of the game.
2. Medical history analysis: Persons who have experienced severe episodes of depression, anxiety, or other uncontrolled mental disorders should not be admitted.
3. Medication Management: People taking medication for mental health problems must be under strict supervision to ensure their stability during the program.
But in practice, how rigorous is this control? Past cases have shown that this part may not be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Cases indicating lack of proper control
Egli Tako's departure is not the first time a contestant has been unable to cope with the pressure of the game. In previous editions we have seen:
• Fifi - During her stay at home, she experienced difficult emotional moments, suffering a visible crisis in front of the cameras. The stress of isolation significantly affected her well-being.
• Semi Jaupaj - Experienced severe anxiety, especially because of Fifi, who walked around the house with a stick, affecting the feeling of security within the home.
• Big Mama - Left after an emotional outburst towards Antonela, showing that she could not manage situations of constant conflict.
• Ermiona Lekbello and Eva Alikaj - Both were disqualified from “Big Brother VIP” for using verbal violence and threats against other housemates. Ermiona was expelled after heated arguments and using inappropriate language, while Eva was disqualified for threatening expressions.
These cases do not mean that people with anxiety or other emotional difficulties should not be allowed to participate in reality shows. The problem arises when individuals who do not have the ability to manage stress in isolation conditions are accepted, harming themselves and negatively affecting the dynamics of the game.
Is your production properly managing the mental well-being of your competitors?
The case of Egli Tako has also sparked reactions about the way her departure was communicated. After expressing that she was not well, she became emotionally exhausted by the situations at home and ended up taking medication, while the production justified it with a "virus". This raises another concern: How transparent is the production in dealing with such problems?
Considering that reality shows benefit from drama and strong emotions, it is important that they do not turn into social experiments with people who are not ready to cope with the format.
"Big Brother" needs stricter rules
The production has a responsibility for the well-being of the contestants. If emotionally fragile people continue to be accepted, cases like Egli Tako's will happen again. If we want a reality show not to turn into an "experiment" on people's emotional state, the assessment of mental health should be a real criterion, not just a formality. The production can entertain the audience without sacrificing the mental well-being of the contestants.
Ultimately, the show can be just as entertaining without making the contestants' emotional drama its core.
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