Students at SUNY Old Westbury will soon be talking about more than who gets “voted out of the villa.”
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Panther Pad in the Student Union Building will host an event that uses the hit reality show Love Island USA to inspire meaningful conversations about emotional wellness, attachment styles and the search for genuine romantic connections in the world of social media and reality tv.
The discussion, hosted by Tatiana Mclean, a licensed mental health counselor with the Counseling and Psychological Wellness Services at SUNY Old Westbury, centers around the question: Is this Love or Just Vibes? The goal of this event is to encourage students to think more deeply about how popular media influences their understanding of healthy relationships, self-image and mental health.
Mclean launched the Reel Talk series this fall to engage students through pop culture and the topic of mental health.
“Sometimes it’s hard for individuals to be able to talk about what is actually happening for them at the moment,” Mclean said. “So using things within pop culture such as TV shows and social media allows the conversation to begin in a way that’s more relatable and engaging.”
In recent years, Love Island USA has become a staple of modern pop culture, captivating audiences with its mix of romance, competition and drama. Its catchphrases, fashion trends and social media presence have made it a cultural touchpoint, sparking conversations about body image, emotional expression and what love looks like in the age of instant connection.
“Over the summer, I was attending Educational Opportunity Program workshops for students, and Love Island was the number one topic of conversation when it came to the discussion of boundaries, relationships and mental health,” Mclean added.
Students are eager to see how this popular show can turn into a learning experience and help to open up the conversation surrounding healthy relationships and mental health.
“A lot of people watch Love Island for entertainment, but don’t realize the effect it has on real issues surrounding mental health and healthy relationships,” said Rayvin Dawkins, a junior Media and Communications major. “Bringing that into a space where we can talk about it honestly feels refreshing and relatable.”
Through events like Love Island USA: Reel Talk Series, SUNY Old Westbury continues to bridge entertainment and education, showing that even a popular TV show can lead to real conversations surrounding self-awareness, mental health and modern relationships.
“I want to meet students where they’re at,” Mclean said. “There’s such a high demand for therapy among our student population, so using tools like pop culture helps start the conversation in a way that’s relatable and fun for students.”
Love Island USA Reel Talk Series: Is this Love or Just Vibes? Wednesday, November, 12, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.. Panthers Pad, SUNY Old Westbury Student Union Building. Free Admission. Free food and beverages.