Clayton Echard Shares How Susie Supports His Mental Health

The Bachelor season 26 star Clayton Echard revealed he and his girlfriend Susie Evans support each other's mental health with specific strategies.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, and Clayton Echard, star of The Bachelor season 26 revealed the ways that he and his girlfriend, Susie Evans, support each other's mental health. Clayton and Susie fell in love during his tumultuous season, but their journey was not an easy one. The couple initially broke up when Susie expressed that she could not accept that he had told her, Rachel Recchia, and Gabby Windey that he loved them, and that he had slept with Rachel and Gabby before her fantasy suite. After spending time with his family, Clayton gained the clarity he needed to realize that he was truly in love with Susie. He told her how he felt, but Susie rejected him. However, in a shocking twist, Clayton and Susie got back together after the show, and they have been very happy together ever since.

Throughout his journey on The Bachelor, Clayton was very open about his struggles with his mental health and body dysmorphia. He explained how difficult it was for him when he was attacked by fans of the show who sent him mean messages. Clayton realized that he had to do something to preserve his mental health, so he tried to stop reading everything about himself on social media. He has since become an advocate for people, including male athletes, to seek help with their mental health. Clayton wants people to know that there is no shame in getting the help that they need.

In an interview with Bachelor Nation, Clayton explained how he and Susie support each other's mental health with several different strategies. Clayton revealed that while fitness is one of the ways that he maintains his mental health, he also feels that talking about what he is going through with his friends, family, and Susie has allowed him "to make sense of the jumbled thoughts going on in my head at times." The Bachelor Clayton shared that the biggest thing that he and Susie have realized is that it is "so important to listen and allow the other person to get whatever they need to get off their chest." He said that he and Susie struggle with different things, so they just lend their ears to each other and let each other know that they are being heard.

Clayton went on to say that now that he and Susie are living together, they are finding ways to schedule uninterrupted time to talk and check in with each other. He shared, "We’re trying this cool thing where starting at 7 p.m. we shut our phones off and spend the last few hours of the night fully present with each other no matter what." Clayton said that it makes it a lot easier for them to follow through with this because they "actually plan and establish those boundaries. So that blocked-off time allows us to be actively present and put our phones down." Clayton added that they have just started this plan, but he imagines that "it’s going to continue to be really great!"

Clayton was really struggling after his time on The Bachelor season 26. He is lucky to have found a supportive partner in Susie, who is willing to do what is necessary to help them maintain their mental health in their relationship. Clayton has become a great role model and example for people who are going through similar journeys.

Next: What Happened To The Bachelor's Susie & Clayton After Season 26 Finale

Source: Bachelor Nation