Mishel Karen is ‘devastated’ Married At First Sight is going ahead this year

Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen was ‘devastated’ to discover the controversial experiment is set to go ahead for another season. 

Speaking on Instagram Live, the 49-year-old urged participants of the upcoming season to reach out to her, before they are blocked by production from communicating with former stars. 

‘I’m so devastated. I feel so bad for anyone who is going on,’ she began.     

‘If you’re going to be on there or you know someone who is going on, if they need to speak to any of us who have previous experience, send them our way,’ she continued.

On Thursday, the reality star told Daily Mail Australia that her experience on the Channel Nine ratings hit felt like ‘torture’ and many former participants are now seeking psychological help for mental health issues after appearing on the show.

Now the Brisbane-based beauty wants to raise awareness about what it is really like for participants on the ‘dangerous experiment’. 

‘I will talk until my last breath to try and stop this madness, this blood-sport that we are calling entertainment,’ she said. 

Mishel explained many participants, including herself, have required psychological support because of the ‘inhumane’ treatment they received on the show, as well as the online ‘bullying’ that followed once the show was on air.  

She went on to add the cast were made aware this week that Channel Nine would no longer be funding third-party support and they now had to speak with the in-house psychologist.  

‘The MAFS psychologist basically tells them [production] everything,’ Mishel claimed. 

‘Maybe I am paranoid but I have experienced firsthand their doctor and psychologist revealing personal information directly to production.’

‘So all the work we put in with our counsellor is now stopping because we have to fund [it] ourselves…’

Mishel went on to explain the US market is ‘even more brutal’ than Australia, now that the show is airing stateside, and the ‘bullying and harassment is another level’.

She now fears the worst for future participants on the show, ‘because the last thing I want is for someone to hurt themselves’.

A Channel Nine representative told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Nine and Endemol Shine takes its obligations in respect to the health and wellbeing of the participants of this program extremely seriously. 

‘All participants have access to the show psychologist during filming, during broadcast and once the program has ended. Nine also have an additional service for participants should they like or need further individual and confidential psychological support.

‘This service gives participants access to psychologists who have been specifically engaged to support those involved in the program in relation to their experiences. This service is available to all participants for as long as they need it, it is ongoing and it does not end.’  

If you are struggling with a mental health issues, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.