Taha hinengaro / mental wellbeing

ACL injuries can challenge your identity as an athlete and your trust in your body. Being unable to exercise or play sports can affect your mood and make you feel low and despondent. It is also common to have concerns about reinjury, particularly when you start doing more vigorous activities, such as returning to sports.

These are all normal parts of the experience. It is important to recognise these feelings and concerns as they play a big part in your recovery. If you are feeling low or are concerned that you will never be the same again, you may not put as much effort and positivity into your recovery. This means it will take longer, and the outcome might not be as good.

It is helpful to talk about how you’re feeling or any concerns about your recovery with your whānau, your friends, your coaches, and your health care team (this includes your physio, GP, sports doc, as well as others with specific skills like a therapist, counsellor, sports psychologist, or Employee Assistance Programme).

There are tools and strategies that help you understand the reasons behind how you feel and control the impact of those feelings. But others might not notice how you are feeling or be reluctant to offer help. Please ask.