Sen. John Fetterman commended for his mental health approach

I think Senator Federman getting mental health for his clinical depression will put a face to this. Senator John Federman's openness of his struggles with mental health are unusual on Capitol Hill, where issues with members' health are frequently kept hidden from the public. Federman's openness has led to praise for mental health advocates, fellow members of Congress and President Biden, who said in a tweet, were grateful to

you for leading by example. While mental health struggles in politics are not new, they're not mentioned often. In 1972, US Senator Thomas Egleton was forced to bow out as the Vice Presidential pick for Democratic nominee George McGovern after his mental health struggles became public. I knew I had a problem, but I didn't come to terms with that. And in 2007, then Congressman Patrick Kennedy opened up

on Larry King live about his struggles with mental health. Every one of my political advisors told me to not talk about having been in treatment. After a late-night car crash on Capitol Hill, the Rhode Island Democrat played guilty in 2006 to charges of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Since departing Congress, he founded the Kennedy Forum, which he describes as a think tank focused on

mental health and addiction policy. I think Senator Federman simply by checking himself in, saying he needs help and going to get that help, is going to probably help more people in that single act than any other bill that he sponsors or acts that he passes in Congress this year for sure. Federman suffered a stroke during a Senate campaign last year. His office says he has experienced

depression on and off throughout his life, but it became more severe recently. Mental health experts say his transparency about his struggles is an important signal to those dealing with similar issues. And depression following a stroke isn't unusual. We know that up to a third of people who have a stroke will suffer depression. It is the most common psychiatric disorder in people who have had a stroke.

So I think for him to be so public about it is so courageous. And he's been courageous up until this point, and he continues to do so. And Senator John Federman isn't alone in this Congress among members of Congress who have been clear about their struggles with mental health. In 2019, Senator Tina Smith, the Democrat from Minnesota, went on the Senate floor and gave a speech

about her previous struggles with mental health, just showing that certainly the stigma of mental health and politics is starting to slide away. Experts are saying that him being this open with his mental health diagnosis, certain to break down doors and barriers. His office saying in a statement, yesterday he should be back to himself in no time.