Most of my life revolved around soccer. It has given me joy, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging.
For many young players, the game is more than just a sport. It acts as a lifeline. Unfortunately, my lifeline was cut short when I sprained my ankle in high school.
I was determined not to let my injury stop me from playing soccer, so I pushed myself to come back, but I came back too soon. Healing should have taken between two and 12 weeks, but it took over two years.
I wasn't the only one who was desperate to play. Youth sports are extremely beneficial for physical and mental health. Participating in sports promotes physical health and develops lifelong skills such as leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
However, young soccer players, especially girls and women, can still feel tremendous pressure to perform in a sport that is still male-dominated. To prevent other cases like mine, we need to be more aware of the role mental health plays in injury recovery.
Injuries are not uncommon in youth soccer. Participating in any sport comes with inherent risks, especially for players who are passionate about the game. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a youth soccer player experiences up to 15.3 injuries per 1,000 hours of play. “Youth soccer has a higher reported incidence of injuries than many other contact sports, and recent studies suggest that injury rates are increasing.” Concussions in Youth Soccer Anterior cruciate ligament injuries remain a significant problem in the sport, particularly among female athletes, with a significant increase in incidence reported. ”
The pressure to ignore pain exacerbates the risk of physical injury. As former U.S. national team star Brianna Scully told the sports website Bleacher Report, the worst thing about a serious injury is the silence that surrounds the players, preventing them from publicly acknowledging their suffering.
The mental health component of sports injuries can be particularly challenging for female high school athletes who engage in competitive sports. High school is already a difficult time for girls, especially as they deal with societal expectations reinforced by social media.
This statistic is heartbreaking. A survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that “nearly 60% of teenage girls reported feeling persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2021, compared to less than 30% of male girls. “is slightly less than that.”
“America's teenage girls are caught up in a growing wave of grief, violence, and trauma,” said Debra Hawley, chief medical officer at the CDC.
A 2023 article published on the Boston Children's Hospital website cited stressors unique to female athletes as unequal access to sports opportunities, facilities, and equipment. Objectification and trivialization of female athletes. sexual harassment and violence. Body image concerns. and the pressure to maintain an unhealthy weight. These factors are often overlooked when seeking to improve physical performance. Young female athletes work tirelessly to impress others, and their inner struggles are overlooked. When an injury occurs, their world collapses, and in addition to the physical pain, there is also a mental strain.
Athletes who are unable to participate in sport often experience psychological distress and anxiety increases during recovery. Recent research has shown that a surprising number of injured athletes may be experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. This allows players to return to the game even if they are not fully recovered. Young female athletes in particular tend to be self-critical and push themselves beyond their limits.
The mental health of young female soccer players is an important yet overlooked aspect of the sport. Sport contributes significantly to the identity and joy of young female athletes and provides valuable skills and support to vulnerable teenagers.
As we overcome the physical and mental challenges of soccer and other sports, we must embrace our weaknesses rather than silence them. Social support from friends and teammates is essential during difficult recovery times.
Promoting open conversations and providing a supportive environment within the sport helps send the message that mental health is just as important as physical recovery from injury. I hope that fewer players will put up with my actions.
Sarahi Hurtado is a first-year student at Franklin & Marshall College.
get help
This column addresses anxiety and mental health issues. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, please contact the following organizations:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
- If you are hearing impaired, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline via TTY (800-799-4889).
- Lancaster Crisis Intervention, 717-394-2631.
- If you are LGBTQ+: thetrevorproject.org/get-help.
