Loneliness like any injury, says netballer

AUSTRALIAN netballer Sharni Layton says she has felt “really alone at times’’, breaking down in tears as she talks about a “mental health injury” that has sidelined her from recent Diamonds duties and the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

One of netball’s highestprofile players, Layton has opened up about her problems after taking an extended break from the game, revealing she was “in a really bad spot mentally”.

A netball fan favourite and rated one of the world’s leading defenders, Layton said she did not know how bad she was before taking time out from the game.

“It’s just amazing because you do, like, feel really alone at times,’’ said the emotional netballer in Sharni Layton — In My Own Words on sport social platform 20 FOUR.

“It is really hard because the reason I took time off, I guess, was to try and get back for Commonwealth Games.

“I was in a really bad spot mentally, and like any other injury, if you do your ankle, strain your hamstring, you can’t play at your best.

“You need to take time off to get that right. So I took time off to get my head right.

“I [sought] help. It was really great. I didn’t realise how bad that I was to be honest with you.

“After taking a bit of time off, I realised that I wasn’t OK and that it was going to take a bit longer to get back than I would have hoped.”

Layton, preparing for the upcoming Super Netball season with the Magpies, also explained why she has not spoken about her issues publicly.

“You think there’s something wrong with you and you think it’s just you. That’s why I haven’t spoken up about it earlier,’’ she said. “I still don’t really understand it.”