Super Netball star Lenize Potgieter’s battle to remove stigma surrounding mental health

Netball star Lenize Potgieter has bravely opened up on her mental health struggles and the lows which caused her to break down at the thought of representing her country.

Super Netball star Lenize Potgieter hopes her decision to reveal a “major depressive disorder” will help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness. 

In an exclusive interview with News Corp, the South African goaler revealed why she won’t be playing for the Proteas this year, her reaction to the outpouring of support from the netball community and her determination to return to Australia next season.

Potgieter took the courageous step to reveal her battle with mental illness on social media while explaining why she would not be playing for the Proteas in internationals this year.

“A few people had asked me already why I wasn’t in Ireland and at that stage I didn’t want to message all of them individually,” Potgieter said of her decision to reveal her struggles in an emotional public post that detailed “panic attacks and nervous breakdowns” after being left “shocked and broken-hearted” by the betrayal of someone she loved.

Adelaide Thunderbirds goaler Lenize Potgieter is fighting to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Photo: Getty Images

“I did talk to my team doctor as well and I want to tell people what was going on. “I don’t want to be ashamed of what I’m feeling.

“I thought with my profile in South Africa, I’d be able to reach the girls or whoever needed to hear it.

“Maybe I can reach out and those kids that are feeling that way don’t have to feel ashamed, (know) that it’s normal, it’s part of being a human being.

“If I can help one girl, or one person, then I’m very happy.”

Potgieter said she was on medication and working with a psychologist while in Australia but things unravelled when she returned to South Africa following the Super Netball season and suffered the “betrayal” of a loved one.

“I think it was a culmination of things,” she said of the days leading up to her eventual diagnosis.

“I’ve been playing netball now for seven years for the Proteas and I’ve never sat out any competition or training camp, I was always available unless I had an injury or was overseas playing for my club, so I never had the chance just to have stability at the end of the year.

“There was never really a switching off … so that was part of it and honestly, just being away from home and always having to travel and the quarantining when we went to Australia, that also built up.

“And when I got back home, I was betrayed by someone that I loved dearly and that just sent me over the edge.

“Everything was building up and I’d always try to suppress it to try and play netball because that’s my job but when that betrayal happened, I just couldn’t do it anymore.”

Lenize Potgieter (left), had the company of fellow South African Shadine van der Merwe at the Thunderbirds last season but believes she will not be lonely on return to Australia after finding “peace”. Photo: Dean Martin

Potgieter forced herself to attend Proteas training camp in Stellenbosch but after consultation with team doctors, was diagnosed with a “major depressive disorder”.

“I remember it like yesterday unfortunately,” the 27-year-old said.

“I was standing in front of the boarding gate and I was just crying, I didn’t want to go.

“But I need to go because I get paid to do it, so I felt guilty as well. The guilt was building up, so I forced myself to go.

“I didn’t even get to do my medical screening because the first thing the doctor asked me was: ‘how are you doing?’ and I just burst into tears.”

It’s an event Potgieter now sees as a blessing in disguise given it allowed her to tap into the help she needed and she is already reaping the benefits.

The decision to reveal her diagnosis publicly was frightening but the response from friends and the netball community - both in Australian Super Netball circles and from players and officials around the world - was overwhelming.

“I just wanted to inform people what was going on and why I wasn’t playing netball at the moment.

“But once I saw messages and phone calls and the replies and the DMs and inbox messages, I was overwhelmed by that,” Potgieter said, crying what she said were “happy tears” while recalling an outpouring of love.

Adelaide Thunderbirds players Georgie Horjus (L), and Maisie Nankivell, along with the club, coach Tania Obst and several other current and former players have reached out to Potgieter. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“I didn’t expect that reaction. I just thought people would say, ‘okay, good luck’, or maybe, ‘how can you be sad when you travel the world and do what you love’ because people don’t always understand.

“But it was just like a relief that people understand and they support. I just felt very, very loved - and I still do.”

Potgieter said her diagnosis would not prevent her returning to Australia after she re-signed with the Thunderbirds in September.

“I’m excited to get back to Australia and work with the team to better ourselves for next season,” said Potgieter, who will return from South Africa in the new year.

“When I go over, I’ll just be homesick but I won’t be lonely and I won’t be sad because I’ve found peace and I’ve found happiness within myself to look after myself and know that I’ll be just fine.

“I’m definitely going back to the Thunderbirds.”

Lenize Potgieter of the Thunderbirds attempts a shot over the top of Collingwood defender Geva Mentor. Photo: Getty Images

For now, Potgieter is working to normalise discussions about mental health, hoping talking about her issues can be seen in the same light as any other injury or illness.

“I want to change the stigma about mental health,” she said.

“I know it’s a hard topic for people that have it. They think that when someone says they have a mental illness, other people are going to think that they’re crazy, or need to go to hospital, or get wrapped up in a psychiatric ward - and that’s not the case.

“It’s just an imbalance of chemicals in your brain and you just need a little bit of help to balance it out again.

“Changing that stigma … I want it to be one of my greatest achievements.”