A third of youth who suffer concussions also face mental health challenges

TUKWILA, Wash. — When a teenager suffers a concussion, it usually means sitting out from school and sports temporarily. While focusing on the physical healing from a brain injury is crucial, we don't always hear about what a concussion can mean for mental health.

“We know that certainly if you have a history of anxiety or depression, you have a greater chance of having a longer recovery from concussion,” said Dr. Sara Chrisman, a pediatrician at Seattle Children's hospital. “But we also know that having a concussion is intensely stressful and especially when symptoms go on for weeks or months that you may feel like you're not going to get back to yourself, and that can lead to depression and anxiety.”

Soccer player Jayda Sparks suffered her third and worst concussion earlier this year.

“I just remember hitting the ground super hard and trying to get up and falling to the ground and actually I couldn’t feel my body from the waist down,” Sparks explained.

An ambulance took her from the field to the emergency room. She had a concussion and whiplash but was otherwise OK. Sparks missed a week of school and a month of soccer.

“Obviously, with college coming soon, it’s like, this is my time to get ready for college, and the fact that I had a minor setback, it was a little scary and messed with me a little bit,” Sparks said.

Chrisman said around one in three young people with a concussion struggle with mental health issues.

“It might be the first time that you feel like my brain is not working the way I want it to,” Chrisman said. “And this is what I, you know, I need to do these things at school, and I can't do them. And that's really stressful for kids.”

Chrisman encouraged talking to kids directly, and asking if they feel depressed or have thought about self-harm. She said to focus on prevention by making sure kids recovering from concussions aren't isolated.

“Can we make sure that kids stay engaged, that they get to still see their friends? They may not be able to go play football, but they could probably walk to the park and throw a ball. So, thinking about what are the things they can do," Chrisman said.

Sparks went to her team's games while she recovered. And while it was tough to watch from the sidelines, she was still with her friends.

“I missed playing soccer so much but definitely had to do what I had to do to get back,” Sparks said. “I had to go through the steps to get back to what I love.”

She'll continue soccer at Eastern Washington University next year.

It's the full recovery - both physically and mentally - that doctors, parents, and patients strive for.

Parents looking for help speaking to their teen about mental health and suicide can find resourceshere.

Anyone can call, text, or chat 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is free and available 24/7/365.

Text help is also available through the Crisis Text Line at 741741.