Jesinta Campbell has been putting on a brave face ever since her fiance, Lance "Buddy" Franklin, withdrew from the AFL season to address his mental health issues.

But the former Miss Universe Australia, 24, told The Sun-Herald's Kate Waterhouse exclusively that the situation has "taken its toll" on her and she has found herself in tears as she continues with day-to-day life.

"There have been a lot of times that I've had my full hair and make-up done and I've had to go and get it touched up because I've been in tears on the way to work," Campbell said.

The model and David Jones ambassador said Franklin is now in "good" health and that they are taking "each day as it comes", but that she is also "quite exhausted from it all".

Campbell added that she feels their ordeal has been exacerbated by it being played out in the public eye. That has slowed down Franklin's recovery.

"This is something that has required a lot of privacy and, unfortunately, we haven't really been granted that. I think, looking back on it, yes, it has hindered his recovery and his well-being, and my well-being too, and it's just really sad that we weren't given the respect that was needed for it," Campbell said.

She acknowledged that the pair live their lives in the limelight, but added that they are still "human beings and you're playing with two people's lives here".

"People have been a little bit nasty too. There have been some people in the media that have just said some really incredibly nasty and hurtful things that are just so left of field and so wrong in this day and age," she added.

It is understood that Campbell sought legal action after News Corp's gossip columnist Annette Sharp wrote a listicle in October titled: "13 Reasons Jesinta and Buddy Should Postpone Their Summer Wedding". Campbell replied with a statement to Twitter in which she said Sharpe's article "isn't worth my time", and also sent a positive message to sufferers of mental illness.

In September, Franklin sought help for an unspecified mental illness and "a mild form of epilepsy" - a condition a spokesperson for Sydney Swans said was "unrelated" to his mental health issues.

The AFL's $10 million dollar-man will make a return next year with Campbell explaining that he is already back in training with his teammates.

"Yes, Buddy is playing next year. He is back into training, which is fantastic. He is looking really fit and strong, which is great. We actually have been training a little bit together and I went for a run with him the other day. It was so hard because his one step is about five of mine!"

The couple got engaged last December and it was rumoured they would get married by the end of the year, but Campbell said this is "not true at all".

"We've actually never set a date for the wedding. We weren't ever going to get married this year. So it's quite funny that everyone thinks that we are," she said.

"We always wanted a long engagement and to enjoy it. There has never been any rush for us. And it's not really going to be a big affair anyway. "