Senator speaks out about his struggle with depression | CNN Politics

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.

He's brave to share this ... 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'm so glad he's talking about this . 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 .

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! Fetterman's story could be a game-changer in terms of normalizing conversations around depression and anxiety. Let's hope more politicians follow his lead

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. Maybe this is the push we need for politicians to prioritize their mental health? I think it's so important to normalize the conversation around mental illness. We should all be supporting each other, not just when we're 'doing okay', but also when we're struggling

man I'm so impressed by John Fetterman for being so open about his struggle with depression he's not afraid to share the dark side of politics and it's honestly super refreshing especially after all the sugarcoated stuff we see in the media, it's great to see someone at such a high level willing to talk about their own demons and seeking help, that takes a lot of courage hope more politicians follow his lead and prioritize their mental health too

Depression is like super dark clouds always looming over you, right? But I gotta give props to Senator Fetterman for speaking up about it . It's crazy how many politicians keep mum about their struggles with mental health. Like, we need to see more of them talking openly about it, not just behind closed doors .

I'm glad he shared his story because it shows that depression can creep up on anyone, even in positions of power . 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 .

Fetterman's openness is definitely a step in the right direction . Maybe we'll start seeing more politicians do the same and break the stigma around mental health conversations . That'd be awesome !

I'm worried about this trend of politicians talking openly about their mental health struggles. Don't get me wrong, it's great to see someone like John Fetterman being so candid, but I think we're just scratching the surface here . 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 .

Fetterman's story is so relatable It's like, everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes , but when it's politicians who are feeling it, it's like We need more of these kinds of conversations about mental health in politics . The pressure to always be "on" and perfect can be super draining . I'm glad Fetterman is speaking out and breaking the stigma around mental illness . Maybe we'll see more politicians opening up about their struggles soon?

omg this is so relatable 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 it's gonna help ppl see that mental health matters

I feel like politicians are expected to be this superhuman figures with no flaws, but honestly it's really refreshing to see someone like John Fetterman being so open about their struggles . It's like, we already know that politics is stressful and all that, but to actually admit that you're not okay all the time takes a lot of courage. And I'm glad he's using his platform to bring attention to mental health in politics because let's be real, it's something that needs to change . 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

Just saw the new vid from John Fetterman where he's talking openly about his struggles with depression . Like, I'm so glad he's being honest and sharing his story - it's not easy to do that, you know? Mental health is like, super important, especially for people in public office. They're under so much pressure all the time!

I think this is a great reminder that we should all be supporting each other, not just with words of encouragement, but also by seeking help when we need it. And to politicians, I'm like, seriously? You don't have to go through this alone! There are people who care and want to support you .

Fetterman's being really brave for sharing his story, and I hope it sparks a lot of conversations about mental health in politics . We need more leaders who are willing to be vulnerable and open up about their struggles - it can help break the stigma around mental illness .

He's so brave for opening up like this ... I mean, it's crazy how politicians are still expected to put on this perfect mask and hide their true feelings . 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 . Fetterman seems like a really down-to-earth guy, and I'm glad he's speaking out about this ... maybe it'll encourage others to do the same

Fetterman's got my back! I think it's awesome that he's speaking out about his struggles with depression, especially since politics can be super high-pressure. He's showing everyone that even someone in a position of power like a senator can't just "tough it out" when they're struggling mentally. It takes a lot of courage to admit you need help, and I think Fetterman's doing the right thing by seeking treatment and prioritizing his mental health. Let's give him a round of applause for breaking down that stigma around mental health in politics

Mental health in politics? It's about time someone talks about it! I mean, we're already dealing with politicians who are supposed to represent our interests, but they can barely take care of themselves. Fetterman's story is crazy, though - "downward spiral" sounds like a sci-fi movie to me...

I'm not saying he doesn't deserve sympathy or anything, but shouldn't politicians be role models in this department? I mean, what if they're actually struggling with something as simple as anxiety or burnout? We don't even know how to talk about it properly yet. And what's with the "breakthrough moment" label? It feels like a PR stunt to me...

I'm genuinely impressed by John Fetterman for being so open about his struggles with depression . It's crazy how politicians are always expected to have it all together, you know? But honestly, who can't relate to feeling overwhelmed and stuck in a dark place sometimes? I think this is exactly what needs to be talked about more - mental health, self-care, and seeking help when you need it . It's not just about politicians either, but about creating a culture that encourages vulnerability and prioritizes our well-being. The fact that Fetterman is using his platform to break the stigma around mental health is truly inspiring

It takes courage to confront the darkness within ...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 . Maybe, just maybe, this is the wake-up call we need for our leaders to prioritize their own well-being too...it's time to put people over politicians

omg u no how hard it r 2 b in politics?? pennsylvania senator john fettermann is talkin bout how he's been dealin wit depression 4 yrs & it got worse wen he started runnin 4 office like, i can relate lol. it's so important 4 politicians 2 be honest about their mental health & take care of themselves cuz if they're not, it can affect everythin

this is super suspicious tho... like he's only talkin' about it now that he's in senate? what's really goin on here? i bet the gov't or some special interest group is pushin' him to spill his guts about his mental health struggles... maybe they're tryin' to use it for their own agenda or somethin'. i mean, think about it, why else would he be so open about it now, but not before? this just feels like a setup to me