Black Ferns player says coaching comments contributed to mental breakdown
Black Ferns hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate says she had a breakdown on tour and disparaging comments from coaching staff led to anxiety and hyperventilation.
Northland player Ngata-Aerengamate posted on social media that she had a "mental breakdown" on the team's end of year tour to England and France.
The Black Ferns lost all four games on tour.
Ngata-Aerengamate, of Cook Island Māori and Ngāti Porou, said she struggled to decide whether to speak up or not.
She posted on instagram below:
New Zealand Rugby's head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said the allegations are concerning and they are taking the matter seriously.
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Women in Sport Aotearoa chief executive Rachel Froggatt says Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate is not alone in experiencing bullying and mental health issues on her team.
Froggatt spoke to Susie Ferguson on Radio New Zealand - click here to listen to the interview
Women in Rugby Aotearoa also released this statement below in support of Te Kura and anyone else who may have experienced the same issues.
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Te Kura hosted Fresh with former Silver Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili and Charmaine Smith in 2017, check out their full episode here -
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To understand what depression is, how to get help and tips on getting well and keeping well - check out Le Va Pasifika's Depression Factsheet and resources available for download here in English, Maori, Samoan and Tongan.
Try the Croo app - a safe and secure app that monitors a person's mental wellness and notifies trusted family and friends (their 'croo) when their 'wellness signal' appears vulnerable.
Where you can get help:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider.
However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.
If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234
1737 NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737