Silver Ferns shooter Maria Folau has apologised for her self-harm analogy, after New Zealand's record netball loss to England last weekend.
In their first outing under new coach Noeline Taurua and captain Laura Langman, the Ferns stumbled to a 52-39 defeat against the Commonwealth Games gold medallists.
Folau was replaced during the fourth quarter, after missing three of her last four shots and netting just 22/30 for the game.
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The next day, she told Newshub there was no panic in the team - but maybe she didn't choose her words wisely.
"I'm not slitting my wrists in the room or anything, and neither are the other shooters as well," she said. "We've just got to get on with it."
The comments sparked public outrage, with Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson telling NZME: "Self-harm affects many of our young people and shouldn't be made light of.
"This is a good opportunity for us all to think about the words we use and how we can do better."
Folau has issued an apology for her comments.
"I wish to apologise for my insensitive comment on Newshub," she said in a statement. "I, in no way, meant to upset and offend people.
"I am extremely devastated and I understand the serious issue that New Zealand has with suicide rates."
It's not the first time Folau has courted controversy with her comments. Earlier this year, she publicly supported husband and Wallabies rugby star Israel Folau in his stance against homosexuals.
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Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
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