Clayton Echard Says Bachelor Nation's Comments Affect His Mental Health
The Bachelor, Clayton Echard is talking about the mental health struggles he's experiencing as a result of his time on the show. Echard has added his name to the long list of reality stars reporting the negative psychological tole that can occur after participating in this type of entertainment. Since the advent of reality television, scores of contestants have dealt with mental health issues and some have even taken their own lives. Though difficult to prove a direct correlation, many who participate have expressed difficulty dealing with negative backlash on social media after their time on the show has ended.
One of the more tragic cases in the franchise's history centers on Gia Allemand, who at 25, vied for Jake Pavelka's love in season 14. She didn't receive the final rose but, according to Refinery 29, her mom said that she returned home feeling confident and happy. Subsequently, Gia was cast on The Bachelor Pad, a spin-off that offered not only a cash prize to the winner, but also another chance at love. Gia, already in a relationship, went on the show hoping to use the winnings to open an animal shelter, but the gambit backfired when she was portrayed as a cheater. Despite her suicide attempt, she was asked back for season 2, but left voluntarily, telling host Chris Harrison, "I can't do this anymore. It's killing me." Unfortunately, not long after Gia took her own life.
Related: The Bachelor: Bachelor Nation Doesn't Really Like Clayton Echard So Far
Now watching his own season, along with the rest of the audience, Clayton tells People that criticism on social media is getting to him. Initially touched by fan support, things began to change after the first episode aired "...and all of a sudden, it just opened
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