An injury can sideline a player for months, but the mental battle that comes with it is often harder to overcome. As the world marks Mental Health Awareness Month this October, Kenya Sevens centre Chrissant Ojwang has opened up about the loneliness of rehabilitation, the pressure to regain lost form and the emotional toll of missing out on the game he loves.Download our MozzartSport App For More NewsFor Ojwang, the struggle is not unfamiliar. The Nakuru RFC centre suffered a serious leg injury during the final day of the Dubai 7s in December 2024, just moments after coming on as a second-half substitute in the ninth-place playoff match against Ireland.The injury kept him out of action for more than a year, with his return coming in February 2026 during the HSBC SVNS 2 tournament at Nyayo National Stadium. ##NAJAVA_MECA_10062777##He subsequently featured for Shujaa during the HSBC SVNS World Championship legs in Valladolid, Spain, and Bordeaux, France, as he worked his way back into the international setup.Just when he appeared to be finding his feet again, another setback followed.An ankle injury sustained during training ruled him out of the 2026 Safari 7s, denying him the chance to feature as Shujaa went on to defend their title.Brian Wahinya opens up on mental strength after Kenya Cup final disappointmentFor a player who had already endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the latest setback was another reminder of how quickly injuries can interrupt an athlete's progress.“When it comes to mental health, I have one of the darkest secrets so far. I was the poster boy for the Safari 7s, but I did not feature because of an injury,” Ojwang told Mozzart Sport.His experience highlights a side of professional sport that often goes unnoticed.While the focus is usually on rehabilitation, return dates and match fitness, the emotional struggle of being separated from teammates and unable to compete can be just as demanding.“The first thing that is always a stumbling block for players is injury. When you are injured, you often feel lonely, and the journey to recovery can be painful and isolating. It takes a lot out of a player. If you are in good form and then pick up an injury, fighting your way back to that level is one of the most difficult things to do,” Ojwang said.Returning to action for athletes is not always as simple as getting medical clearance. Former Kenya Sevens captain Kayange backs Rising Lionesses to shine at Dakar Youth OlympicsThere is the challenge of regaining confidence, rebuilding fitness, and trying to rediscover the form that made them stand out before the injury.The process can be particularly frustrating when a player has to start over just as things are falling into place.Ojwang believes a player's mental state is crucial in navigating such moments, arguing that how an athlete responds to setbacks can influence the journey back to competition.“Mentally, you have to be okay as a player because if you are not in the right state of mind, things can go south. How you pick yourself up as a player matters a lot,” he said.However, he acknowledges that athletes experience pressure differently. The expectations that motivate one player might overwhelm another, meaning there is no single formula for coping with the demands of competitive sport.“Pressure is largely mental, but it depends on the individual. One man's food is another man's poison. What works for me as Ojwang might not work for another player. As long as I am comfortable with what I am doing and believe it is good for me, I will stick to it,” he explained.He explained that understanding oneself and finding what works personally is an important part of protecting mental well-being. He also believes that having someone to talk to can make a difference when the weight of a difficult period becomes too much to carry alone.“The biggest thing you can do to avoid falling into a depressive state is to find your safe space. Find someone you can talk to and share your problems with,” he said.Specmagic reveals what makes Kenyan rugby uniqueThat support could come from a trusted teammate, friend, family member, or someone else an athlete feels comfortable confiding in.His message to fellow athletes is straightforward; “Just be yourself and always ensure that you are in the right state of mind,” he urged.