Why does it hurt our mental health so much when we get injured doing a sport we love? 

I did something out of my comfort this year, I joined a sport. I was starting something new, but it was a good new. I was excited however that excitement didn’t last for long. 

On Tuesdays we have something called “Charlie Days.”  It is a day when another coach comes in and has us do hard conditioning and practices. On this day, I was wearing improper shoes and kept sliding around. 

At a certain point, we started practicing our lunges. When I lunged, I moved too fast and my back left leg slid and pulled.

For about three days, I didn’t realize I had injured my knee until it started to swell and it became difficult for me to put weight on it. 

After a doctor’s appointment and an MRI, I learned that I luckily did not tear anything and did not need surgery. However, every bit of my knee was inflamed and was severely damaged and I was told it was unlikely I would be able to continue my season.

I don’t think I ever felt so disappointed and embarrassed in myself before. I mean, I was told to wear proper shoes and I didn’t, which caused all of this. I was embarrassed that it was my first time being on a team and also it was the second week of fencing but the second day of actual training.

I was also mad at myself. I’m a very independent person and for about 2 weeks, I was told to barely put pressure on my knee, so my parents had to do everything for me, which I hated. I felt so bad because I kept snapping at them, although I didn’t mean it, I felt awful.

I hated seeing my teammates practice while I sat there in my thoughts. I also want to say that I am a very energetic person and due to this, I lost so much energy and I always felt so tired. I used to work out, go on walks and participate in the gym. But I no longer can do that.

It hurt, physically and mentally. I wanted my ability to run to play and practice to come back. I now have to wait and do physical therapy. 

I know I will get better soon but being told I may not be able to continue this year hurts more than actually getting hurt in my opinion.

A study conducted by the National Library Of Medicine of how many university athletes get injured per year. “82 athletes participated in the study. Respondents sustained over two injuries per year. Significant differences were found for sport category and type of injury. No differences were observed regarding antecedent sport participation.” 

Also according to the National Education Association, published on April 1, 2017, 90% of all student athletes get injured, 54% of student athletes have played while injured, 37% of high school athletes experienced sprains while only 37% of all public high schools have a full-time athletic trainer.

Injuries affected athletes more than we know according to Joshua A. Jakum, a writer on Contemporary Pediatrics said, “Any athlete who experiences a career-ending or season-ending injury is likely to feel significant loss and grief and develop depression, anxiety or traumatic stress.” 

Sports are important to student athletes because it helps us have an identity, when that identity is broken it harms our mental health. I believe once a student or college athlete gets an injury, they should have to meet with a therapist so they can deal with their grief until they are healed. 

As of recently college athletes have been given more opportunities to meet with professionals. According to White House Sports Psychologists a new requirement for student athletes includes that their team needs to have professionals on their team so if there is an injury or an athlete that needs help they will be there ready. 

I believe that high school sports teams should also be required to have a counselor or therapist in school or connected to the teams to help out the student athletes.

There are all different kinds of injuries but each one is valid to feel sad and upset. If you ever feel symptoms of depression or anxiety please reach out to someone such as a school counselor, psychologist or social worker. If you aren’t able to reach out to them, talk to a teacher, friend or an adult, don’t face this challenge by yourself.

Once you heal you will be stronger, better, confident and more careful in what sport you do.