Injuries impact athletes' mental health

As you walk into the athletic training room in the Elmen Center, you will see a number of athletes rehabbing for a number of different injuries. 

From stubbed toes to broken limbs, an injury of any kind can often be enough to throw athletes off their game; however, while ice baths, heating pads and Icy-Hot can help heal the body, an injury can cause more than just physical pain.

The training staff works effortlessly to get athletes back in action, but an injured athlete is more than just a pawn in a game. These athletes have feelings and emotions, and when a huge part of their identity is taken away from them, it can be tough to process. 

Oftentimes, these injuries can happen in an instant. This is especially true for Meghan Johnson, a sophomore on the acrobatics and tumbling team. 

In late March, Johnson was practicing with her team as usual. While coming down from a high hand-in-hand — a handstand atop someone else’s hands — she landed on her teammate’s foot. She rolled her ankle with so much force that her fibula fractured and broke through her skin. 

Due to the abruptness of the gruesome injury, it left a mental impact on both Johnson and her teammates. 

“It was definitely traumatic for a few of us,” Johnson said. 

While abrupt, season-ending injuries can be traumatic, recurring injuries can be even more frustrating. One athlete at Augustana who has experienced these types of injuries is Jadon Bast, a freshman pitcher on the Vikings baseball team. 

Bast’s injury history precedes his time at Augustana. Before his senior season of high school baseball, Bast pulled his hamstring while practicing base running in below freezing temperatures; however, Bast recovered enough from this injury to play that season. In fact, the beginning of the season was going great for him. 

“I would have been Gatorade Player of the Year,” Bast said.

Bast’s season, though, would be derailed with just one at bat. When Bast stepped into the box, he went through his routine as usual. As the pitcher began his windup, Bast loaded up his swing. He saw the pitch he wanted and ripped a line drive into right center field. Bast took off. As he rounded first base, he realized he would be able to turn this hit into a triple. 

But, as Bast rounded second base, both of his hamstrings gave out on him. And while the pain of the hamstrings hurt, what really affected Bast was one fact he knew: he would be out for a while. After about three weeks, Bast returned, but his campaign for Gatorade Player of the Year was ruined, and his team fell short of a championship in the state tournament. 

After arriving at Augustana, Bast was optimistic about the upcoming season and hoped his injuries would remain in his past. However, his hamstrings continued to give him issues. With enough time, Bast worked through it and planned on getting some playing time this season. Then, while warming up for practice on a cold January day, his worst nightmare came to life. 

“I heard a pop in my elbow,” Bast said. 

He had just torn his ulnar collateral ligament.

Unfortunately, for many athletes, a severe injury can feel like getting fired from their dream job with no explanation. And in situations like these, it is likely that the people involved may have some struggles with their mental health.

According to psychology professor Ben Jeppsen, an injured athlete’s mental health can be affected by three main things: a loss of identity, trauma and social issues. 

Jeppsen said that since many athletes tend to view their purpose as their ability to excel at their sport, an injury can be a huge loss to their self identity. 

“This kind of loss of purpose, meaning and identity can lead to depression,” Jeppsen said.

Additionally, the type of injury can also determine the effects it has on the mind. 

“If the injury is traumatic, it can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD,” Jeppsen said. 

Both Johnson and Bast have experienced some internal struggles while dealing with their injuries. For Johnson, the trauma and abruptness of her injury has caused her to struggle with accepting the aftermath. 

“I know when I can finally walk again, I won’t just be in physical rehab. I will also be mentally recovering,” Johnson said. “I might struggle with the fact that I cannot do everything I used to do.”

But Johnson has kept a positive mindset throughout the process. She credits her family, boyfriend and teammates for being there for her as she adjusts to everyday life. 

For Bast, on the other hand, the frustration of repeated injuries has gotten to his head, he said. 

“After this injury happened, I took it pretty hard,”  Bast said. “At this point, it’s like, can I just be healthy?”

As a result of his injury, Bast had to redshirt this season instead of playing like he had hoped. Bast said he feels a little bit disconnected from the team since he decided to redshirt. 

“It has been a huge mental battle for him,” freshman Maddie French, Bast’s girlfriend, said. 

Fortunately for Bast, he has also had support from his family, especially his dad and brother. He also reached out to former Augustana star pitcher Seth Miller for advice. 

“He dealt with the same injury as me, and just talking to him has made the recovery process easier,” Bast said. 

Sometimes, injured athletes aren’t as fortunate to have the support that Johnson and Bast have from friends and family. When athletes start to have negative thoughts, it can be a slippery slope towards depression, Jeppsen said.

“The first step is noting these thoughts and recognizing them for what they are,” Jeppsen said. “Then athletes can use a [positive] trigger word to bring their attention back where they want it to be.” 

Jeppsen also said student athletes should look out for symptoms of depression in their fellow teammates. 

“So the signs are no different for [athletes] than anyone else,” Jeppsen said.

If you notice any teammates withdrawing from activities they normally enjoy, becoming increasingly pessimistic about the future or showing any abrupt behavioral changes, don’t be shy to reach out and check in with them, Jeppsen said. 

Athletes often care more about the game they play than anything else in their life. So, the next time an athlete gets injured on the field, court or mat, remember that the physical pain can be only a fraction of the mental pain that an athlete may endure.