The Hidden Battle: Mental Health After Limb Loss
Losing a limb changes everything. But what many don’t see are the changes that happen inside—the grief, trauma, fear, and isolation that amputees face long after the bandages come off.
At Less Leg More Heart, we’ve walked alongside hundreds of amputees, and the pattern is clear: mental health support is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline.
Amputation often comes with:
Post-traumatic stress (especially when the loss is sudden or due to violence/accident)
Depression and anxiety related to body image, independence, and pain
Loss of identity and purpose
Isolation from communities or careers that once provided connection
One of our beneficiaries, a young man named Luis, shared:
"I was angry all the time. Not just because of my leg—but because no one seemed to understand what it felt like to lose it. Less Leg More Heart gave me someone who had been there. That changed everything."
Luis was connected to peer support, trauma-informed counseling, and eventually adaptive hiking gear that got him back outdoors—a huge part of his healing.
This is why we center emotional wellness in all our programs. Our peer support groups, mentorship program, and trauma recovery resources remind amputees: you are not alone, and this journey is not all on you.
💡 This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s stop pretending limb loss is only skin deep. Let’s care for the minds and hearts behind the prosthetics.
If you or someone you love is navigating limb loss and needs support, please reach out. We’re here—for the whole journey.
👉 Learn more or connect at https://www.lesslegmoreheart.com/amputeesinneed
