The Impact Of Physical Injuries On Students’ Mental Health And Academic Performance By: Alissa Alvarado

When a student gets hurt, it can affect more than just their body. Physical injuries can also cause stress, worry, and sadness, which may make it harder for students to focus and do well in school. According to National Library Of Medicine states, “Physical injuries negatively impact students' mental health and academic performance, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and stress, and causing academic setbacks like delayed assignments, missed exams, and difficulty concentrating. These effects are often linked through a complex cycle where mental health issues can also increase the risk of future injuries, making it crucial to provide comprehensive support that addresses both physical and psychological needs during recovery.” 

Christopher Portillo, a student from Hillgrove High School says, “you're dealing with pain with your injury but the same time you got to deal with school and your grades and everything but it's harder to do that when you're going through pain in your leg and surgeries.” These examples show that injuries can create challenges both inside and outside the classroom. By giving students the support they need, schools can help them recover faster and stay on track with their learning.  

Injuries can make students feel isolated because they often can’t join their normal activities. Being left out of sports, classes, or social events can make them feel alone or disconnected from their peers. Based on McMaster University,“Injuries can make students feel isolated because they lose their connection to a team and social circle, their primary identity as an athlete is challenged, and they may feel too different from their peers to participate in conversations or activities. Missing out on training, practices, and games can lead to a feeling of disconnection, while the recovery process itself can be isolating if they feel their experience is not understood by others.” Jake Agey, a sophomore, talks about the isolation students might feel dealing with long term and short-term injuries “They can't do activities that normally they would be able to do because of an injury, and they would probably be left out.” 

All of this shows how easily injuries can separate students from the people and activities they care about. The longer the injury lasts, the harder it can be for them to stay connected. That’s why it’s important for friends, teachers, and schools to support injured students so they don’t feel alone during their recovery. Injuries can have a strong impact on students’ mental health, often causing stress or sadness during recovery. When students are hurt, it can be just as challenging for their minds as it is for their bodies.