John Fetterman and the Politics of Speaking Up
Earlier in February, John Fetterman, the freshman U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, voluntarily checked himself into hospital care for clinical depression treatment. According to his office, Fetterman “has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, [but it] only became severe in recent weeks”. His doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center expect him to return and be ready to commit to serving his full term.
This news comes shortly after Fetterman suffered an almost fatal stroke in the past year. Although his office has not commented on a link, it is very common for stroke survivors to be susceptible to mental health challenges.
According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, “depression occurs in roughly one-third of stroke survivors”. Dr. Paul S. Appelbaum, a professor of psychiatry, medicine and law at Columbia University and a past president of the American Psychiatric Association states, “After a stroke, people inevitably — and I think Senator Fetterman is an example of this — have to adapt to a new life, particularly if there are impairments”.
Politicians and constituents from both sides of the aisle have praised Fetterman for his transparency regarding depression, especially as mental health issues became more prevalent as Americans grappled with the pandemic. A Boston University study reveals, “[d]epression among adults in the United States tripled in the early 2020 months of the global coronavirus pandemic – jumping from 8.5% before the pandemic to a staggering 27.8%”. The CDC also adds that over 41 percent of Americans experienced recent symptoms of a depressive or anxiety disorder.
The senator’s comments are also commended for willingly speaking up despite the pervasive stigma of mental health as a weakness among men. Fetterman as a male politician could be breaking the stereotypes associated with men having to remain strong or tough when vocalizing his efforts for health guidance.
Statistically, men have been found to be less likely to seek care from implied societal expectations. However, Katie Lee of advocacy group Mental Health America comments that people feel represented in seeing someone like them seeking help. Then, they can feel compelled to do the same. With Fetterman’s openness, it could inspire a wave of others to follow suit against the preconceived notions of mental health support.
In recent years, the once heavy stigma of mental health has been slowly reduced between 2006 and 2018 through campaigns of encouragement in sharing own experiences. Therefore, it is powerful for someone that holds substantive power like Fetterman, to detail his struggles as a way of de-stigmatizing and de-mystifying his problems.
In the past, many politicians have worked hard to retain a strong image by concealing their problems to boost public trust. But with the growing acceptance of mental health, other politicians have been sharing their stories and issues with the world. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) opened up to her battle with depression in her 30s as she pushed for mental health access legislation. In reaction to Fetterman’s decision, she tweets, “In the short time I’ve worked with John Fetterman, I’ve been struck by his resilience and heart. John is doing exactly what he should do, which is seek help {...} Seeking help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness, something that John is demonstrating for all of us.”
Additionally, in interviews, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) also has been transparent with his use of anti - depressants in his long fight with depression. He tweeted support to Fetterman, “I admire Senator John Fetterman for openly seeking treatment for depression at Walter Reed. Back in 2010, I was hospitalized for depression. I would not be alive, let alone in Congress, were it not for mental health care,”
Earlier last year, Rep. Dan Kildee also revealed getting mental health treatment for PTSD after the January 6th riot when mobs of insurrectionists charged through the halls of the Capitol. “I had a lot of tension in my chest and breathing was difficult,” Rep. Daniel Kildee (D-Mich.) recalled in the days that followed. “I became really irritable.”
The mental health of our politicians are crucial as they represent constituents in life changing legislation of democracy. But currently, their roles as representatives are getting harder as many of their private personal lives are getting blurred with the vicious partisanship of their political duty. Politicians have to navigate heavy responsibilities with numerous deadlines and public scrutiny - all of which can be burdening and hostile to their integrity.
Fetterman could cause a movement within the halls of Congress to step back and receive mental care. Long gone are the days of hiding struggles as a sign of weakness. True representatives are one with their constituents - the real leaders of America.
Christine Li is a sophomore at Millennium Brooklyn High School and a Next-Gen Civic Fellow. She is passionate about engaging the youth vote and enacting criminal justice reform through action and legislation. Christine hopes to extend her interest in higher education through a major in Political Science.