100 Voices: Ashling Thompson On Sports Injuries and Depression: #NowWereTalking

I had just started my first year of college, and was preparing to go back to the Cork squad in December. The car crash was in November 2009, and I guess everything piled up at the same time. I had never carried an injury before, and you're very young to go through something like that. Some people will say they had an injury and didn't suffer depression, but it's hard to hit the nail on the head with it; you might be feeling down for a few days, and not even know that you're depressed. It's very hard to give someone guidance. I had friends who literally didn't know what to do. But if someone is involved in sports, ring their coach and explain; if a coach knew what they were going through, it would take a weight off their shoulders. Anyone who has come out the other side of something, give them a call and ask for guidance. And there's plenty of organisations to give help: all it takes is a phone call.

100 Voices was published in the Hot Press Mental Health Special in conjunction with Lyons Tea and Pieta House as part of the Now We're Talking Campaign. For more please visit hotpress.com/now-were-talking/