Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, recently opened up about his battle with depression in an exclusive interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” Fetterman, who sought inpatient treatment for clinical depression, expressed candidly the challenges he faced and the fear he had about the impact on his political career.
Interview Highlights:
- Fetterman described a “very dark” moment in December 2022 when he struggled to get out of bed and was dreading his Senate swearing-in ceremony in January 2023.
- He emphasized the difficulty of conveying the experience of not being able to get out of bed to others, expressing concern for his family and the impact on his children.
- Fetterman attributed the intensification of his depression to the pressures and stress he faced during his 2021 Senate campaign, which was further compounded by a stroke he suffered in May 2022.
- The senator shared that his depression worsened even after winning the Senate race, leaving his children puzzled about why he remained sad.
- Thoughts of harming himself became a critical turning point, leading Fetterman to recognize the urgent need for treatment.
- Fearing the end of his political career, Fetterman was initially hesitant to share his struggles publicly but ultimately decided to be open about his inpatient treatment for depression.
- During his time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Fetterman experienced a “watershed moment” when his children visited him, creating a breakthrough in his recovery.
- He expressed gratitude for the support from colleagues in the Senate and the importance of reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues.
- Fetterman is a member of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus and aims to raise awareness about mental health struggles.
Key Points:
- Fetterman’s depression intensified during his Senate campaign and after suffering a stroke in 2022.
- The senator’s depression continued to worsen even after winning the Senate race, impacting his family and raising concerns from his children.
- Thoughts of self-harm prompted Fetterman to seek inpatient treatment for clinical depression at Walter Reed.
- Fetterman initially feared that sharing his mental health struggles publicly would end his political career but decided to be open about his treatment.
- Support from family, colleagues, and the realization that his depression was in remission contributed to Fetterman’s recovery.
- The senator is committed to using his experience to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma.
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