Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has opened up about his long battle with depression, a struggle he says has been exacerbated by the pressures of politics.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Fetterman revealed that he had been struggling with depression for years, but only recently sought help and treatment. The senator described his struggles as "a downward spiral" that made it difficult to cope with everyday life, let alone the demands of being in public office.
Fetterman said he felt overwhelmed by the stress of winning a tight election, which led him to question whether he was cut out for the job. He also spoke about how his depression had affected his relationships and daily routines.
"I've been through some dark times," Fetterman said, his voice steady but with a hint of vulnerability. "There were times when I didn't want to get out of bed, when I couldn't eat or sleep. It was like my world had come crashing down around me."
Fetterman's openness about his struggles is seen as a breakthrough moment in the conversation surrounding mental health in politics. The senator's candor has sparked a wider discussion about the need for politicians to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed.
The interview comes as Fetterman settles into his new role as senator, having won a tight election just days ago. His openness about his struggles with depression is a reminder that even in positions of power, mental health can be a significant challenge.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Fetterman revealed that he had been struggling with depression for years, but only recently sought help and treatment. The senator described his struggles as "a downward spiral" that made it difficult to cope with everyday life, let alone the demands of being in public office.
Fetterman said he felt overwhelmed by the stress of winning a tight election, which led him to question whether he was cut out for the job. He also spoke about how his depression had affected his relationships and daily routines.
"I've been through some dark times," Fetterman said, his voice steady but with a hint of vulnerability. "There were times when I didn't want to get out of bed, when I couldn't eat or sleep. It was like my world had come crashing down around me."
Fetterman's openness about his struggles is seen as a breakthrough moment in the conversation surrounding mental health in politics. The senator's candor has sparked a wider discussion about the need for politicians to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed.
The interview comes as Fetterman settles into his new role as senator, having won a tight election just days ago. His openness about his struggles with depression is a reminder that even in positions of power, mental health can be a significant challenge.
... politicians are always under the spot light, but how many of them actually talk about their inner struggle? It makes sense why he was feeling overwhelmed, politics is crazy stressful! His openness is a good start, maybe more should do the same? Mental health is just as important as physical health 
this is so worrying, another politician being open about their mental health struggle its like we need to put pressure on them more or something 
meanwhile, did you know that the number of Americans experiencing depression has increased by 57% since 2009? 
and hes just one senator, theres so many others out there struggling in silence 
. I think it's really brave of him to share his story and not ashamed to show his vulnerability. Mental health struggles are so common but we still stigmatize them in many ways. If politicians can be open about their struggles, maybe others will feel more comfortable seeking help too 
. It's a reminder that even the most powerful people can struggle with their mental health, it doesn't define who they are as a person 
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I'm not surprised to hear that John Fetterman struggled with depression. Politics has been known to be super stressful and all-consuming. But at the same time, it's great that he's speaking out about it now. I mean, we need more leaders who are willing to talk openly about their mental health struggles instead of just hiding behind a mask. It's not like it's a secret or anything! 
I feel like politicians are under so much pressure to put on this perfect mask, you know? Like they're supposed to have it all together 24/7. But honestly, it's okay to not be okay. I've had my own struggles with anxiety and I just wish someone would open up about it sooner. It's like we're all expected to be superheroes or something 
. Fetterman is a big deal for speaking out and showing that even in power, you can still ask for help. 
he's not afraid to share the dark side of politics and it's honestly super refreshing 
always looming over you, right? But I gotta give props to Senator Fetterman for speaking up about it 
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. It's like, just 'cause you're a senator doesn't mean you don't need help sometimes 
. We should be encouraging people to talk about their mental health, not shaming them for it 
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. Maybe we'll start seeing more politicians do the same and break the stigma around mental health conversations 
. That'd be awesome 
. What's really going on behind closed doors? We need to ask ourselves if this is just a PR stunt to boost his image or if he's genuinely committed to making mental health a priority in politics. Also, I'm not sure how many of us can truly relate to what our politicians are going through – they're under constant scrutiny and pressure all the time 
. I hope Fetterman's openness sparks some real change, but we need more than just a few words on social media to make a difference 
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It's like, everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes 
We need more of these kinds of conversations about mental health in politics 
I feel like politicians are always on, you know? they gotta put on a happy face and pretend everything's fine when really it's not... I'm glad Sen Fetterman is speaking out about his struggles tho 
. But what I'd love to see is more concrete actions being taken, like actual support systems for politicians who are struggling with their mental health. Just a thought 
. Mental health is just as important as any policy issue, you know? It's like, we need more people in power who are willing to talk about their struggles and show that it's okay to not be okay 
And what's with the "breakthrough moment" label? It feels like a PR stunt to me... 
...and it's even braver to speak out about it. The fact that John Fetterman is breaking down barriers and starting a conversation about mental health in politics is something we should all celebrate 
cuz if they're not, it can affect everythin