Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has opened up about his struggles with depression, revealing a downward spiral that threatened to derail his bid for office. The Democrat's candid conversation comes after he won a tight election in November.
Fetterman spoke exclusively with CBS News, discussing the challenges he faced during his campaign and how they affected his mental health. He described feeling overwhelmed by the demands of politics and struggling to balance his personal life with the pressures of being a senator.
The 52-year-old senator acknowledged that depression has been a persistent companion throughout his life, but said he's made significant strides in managing it since taking office. Fetterman emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, particularly for those in public service who often put others' needs before their own.
"It's just not something you can put on a shelf and forget about," Fetterman said. "It's something that you have to deal with every single day."
Fetterman's candid discussion about his struggles with depression serves as a reminder of the need for greater transparency in politics. By speaking openly about his mental health, he aims to reduce stigma around mental illness and encourage others to do the same.
As Fetterman continues to navigate the demands of senatorship, his conversation highlights the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking help when needed. By sharing his personal story, he hopes to inspire others to prioritize their own mental well-being.
Fetterman spoke exclusively with CBS News, discussing the challenges he faced during his campaign and how they affected his mental health. He described feeling overwhelmed by the demands of politics and struggling to balance his personal life with the pressures of being a senator.
The 52-year-old senator acknowledged that depression has been a persistent companion throughout his life, but said he's made significant strides in managing it since taking office. Fetterman emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, particularly for those in public service who often put others' needs before their own.
"It's just not something you can put on a shelf and forget about," Fetterman said. "It's something that you have to deal with every single day."
Fetterman's candid discussion about his struggles with depression serves as a reminder of the need for greater transparency in politics. By speaking openly about his mental health, he aims to reduce stigma around mental illness and encourage others to do the same.
As Fetterman continues to navigate the demands of senatorship, his conversation highlights the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking help when needed. By sharing his personal story, he hopes to inspire others to prioritize their own mental well-being.
OMG I'm so proud of Sen John Fetterman for speaking up about his depression struggles! Like he's literally saving lives by being honest about how hard it can be to deal with the pressures of public service 
. I mean, who knew being a senator could be so tough on mental health? 
But seriously, Fetterman's openness is going to help break down those stigmas and encourage others to prioritize their own mental well-being 
. He's literally my spirit animal - a strong, capable leader who still shows vulnerability 
. I'm all about that #MentalHealthAwareness and Fetterman is leading the way 
!
. It's like, we all know politics can be super stressful, but actually hearing someone say it's affecting their mental health is a big deal 
. I mean, John Fetterman has been through some tough stuff and still managed to win an election - that's truly inspiring 
. It's time for us to start valuing mental health just as much as we value physical health 
.
just think about all the ppl in politics who arent talkin openly abt there mental health struggles...its so brave of Fetterman 2 speak up like that 
especially after goin thru a tough campaign. i think its a great reminder 4 us all 2 take care of ourselves & prioritize our mental well-being, esp since we put others first all da time 
I'm not surprised Sen Fetterman opened up about his depression struggles, but I do think it's kinda weird that people are only now talking about this stuff. Like, shouldn't we've had this convo 10 yrs ago? 
My pop has been dealing with depression for ages and he just puts on a brave face, you know? Anyway, kudos to Sen Fetterman for being real & inspiring others to do the same 
. It's great that John Fetterman is speaking up about it, maybe we can all learn from his experience 
. I'm glad he's prioritizing his mental health now that he's in office – maybe more politicians will follow suit 
. Sometimes I get so caught up in the drama and negativity that it feels like a never-ending battle 
. But I know I can step away and take some time for myself 
. Senator Fetterman is a hero for speaking out about his struggles with depression - we need more people like him who are willing to be vulnerable 
. I'm so glad he's using his platform (no pun intended 
) to raise awareness about mental health and encourage others to do the same 
. I mean, who says you can't have it all? Not me, that's for sure 
and i'm like whoa... 1 in 5 ppl experience depression or anxiety every year in the US 
did u know that? 
let's spread the word and reduce stigma around mental illness, right? 
️ I think it's so cool that John Fetterman is speaking out about his struggles with depression! It's like, super brave of him to share this stuff, especially since it's something that affects so many people