Senator speaks out about his struggle with depression | CNN Politics

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman recently opened up about his struggles with depression in an effort to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

In a recent interview, Fetterman shared that he experienced a "downward spiral" of depression during and after his election campaign. He stated that the pressure and stress from the campaign took a toll on his mental well-being, leading to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and hopelessness.

Fetterman's willingness to speak publicly about his struggles with depression is seen as an important step in promoting mental health awareness and encouraging others to seek help. The Senator emphasized the importance of taking care of one's mental health, particularly during times of stress or adversity.

"I didn't want to be known for being the guy who won an election but struggled with depression," Fetterman said in the interview. "I wanted to be known as a senator who is willing to talk about it and help people who are going through similar things."

Fetterman's candid discussion of his mental health struggles has resonated with many, particularly those who have experienced similar struggles. By sharing his story, he aims to provide hope and support to those who may be struggling in silence.

The Senator's efforts to normalize mental health discussions are seen as a step towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. His willingness to speak openly about his own struggles is an important reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

you know what's crazy? how one person can be a total rockstar in public life and still deal with some pretty dark stuff like depression . john fetterman's story is giving me all the feels - it's so refreshing to see someone in power being real about their struggles instead of hiding behind a mask . and i think he's totally right, mental health should be just as important as physical health . we need more people like him who are willing to talk openly about their struggles and help break down that stigma surrounding mental illness . honestly, it's making me feel a lot better knowing that i'm not alone in my own struggles

I'm so glad to see politicians like John Fetterman being open about their struggles with depression ... I mean, what's the point of having a big house and a fancy car if you're still struggling to deal with your mental health, right? I've been there too, kinda... I had a bit of a meltdown during exams in college and my friends were all like "Dude, calm down" . But Fetterman's approach is different, he's not just talking about it, he's actually doing something about it, which is amazing . Does anyone know how to get help for depression? I've been meaning to look it up but I don't want to Google it myself, lol ...

I'm loving this new wave of politicians being real about their mental health . John Fetterman's story is so inspiring and brave ! It's like he's saying "Hey guys, it's okay to not be okay" and that's a game-changer for so many people who are struggling in silence . I mean, we're all about positivity and self-care on the internet, but having someone like Fetterman speak up about mental health is like, super refreshing ! It's time to break down those barriers around talking about our feelings and emotions . Kudos to him for being willing to be vulnerable and share his story !

I think it's amazing that Sen Fetterman is using his platform to talk about depression . He's showing everyone that it's okay to not be okay and that we should all be willing to have those tough conversations . I mean, who wouldn't want to feel like they're doing the right thing by talking about their struggles instead of hiding behind a mask? It's also so refreshing that he's not making himself out to be some kind of superhero who's "over it" - we all know that depression can be super sneaky and hard to deal with . I'm loving how he's encouraging others to speak up too, because let's face it, mental health is just as important as physical health !

just think, our politicians can't hide their struggles and it's kinda inspiring [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pennsy...n-fetterman-depression-mental-health-stigma/) maybe we should follow their example [https://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_sa...alks/sheryl_sands_the_power_of_vulnerability)

I'm glad Sen John Fetterman is speaking up about mental health, but can we be real for a sec? It feels like this is just another example of "me doing good" to get more clout . I mean, what's next? Everyone's gonna start sharing their mental health struggles on social media and suddenly it'll be all the rage . Let's not forget that having a public platform doesn't automatically make you an expert on mental health. We need real action and policy changes, not just folks trying to boost their brand .

And can we talk about how weird it is that this is only happening now? Like, we're living in 2025 and still have politicians feeling pressure to hide their mental health struggles? It's like, hello, therapy is a thing! Get yourself to a therapist, take some time off work, do whatever you need to do... . Let's not make this about the "bold" politician who spoke up, but about the real systemic issues that led to him needing to speak up in the first place .

OMG, can't believe our country has someone like John Fetterman who's so brave enough to talk about depression like it's no big deal He deserves all the props for being honest and vulnerable about his struggles with mental health - I mean, it takes a huge amount of courage to share something that's so personal and raw. I love how he's trying to break down those barriers around mental illness and make it more acceptable to talk about, especially in politics

I'm totally feeling John Fetterman vibes rn he's like the real MVP for speaking up about mental health and helping break down those stigma walls it's so refreshing to see someone in power be vulnerable and honest about their struggles, you know? I think it's especially important for politicians to set an example and show that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness . Fetterman's right on point with his message - mental health matters just as much as physical health, and we need more people like him who are willing to have tough conversations . This kind of openness can really save lives, you know?

Mental health struggles... it's like, we're living in this world where we're always supposed to be "on" and "on top" of things, but what if that's just not possible for some people? Fetterman's story is a reminder that even someone as seemingly powerful as a senator can struggle with the same demons we all face. It's like, we need to redefine what it means to be strong, you know? Can't be just about winning elections or achieving success, but also about taking care of our minds and bodies.

omg i love how senator fetterman is being so open and honest about his depression struggles it's like he's showing us that even the most successful ppl can be affected by mental health issues and it's okay to ask for help i think this kinda thing really needs more representation in the media, like we need more leaders who are willing to talk about their own vulnerabilities and encourage others to do the same

i think its awesome that john fetterman is speaking out about his depression, its like he's showing everyone that even successful ppl can struggle with their mental health. its so easy to put on a brave face and pretend everything is fine when really you're just drowning in anxiety and hopelessness... but Fetts is proof that talking about it is the first step to getting help

I'm loving this move by John Fetterman - it's soooo refreshing to see someone in power sharing their true self and being super vulnerable about their mental health struggles . It's like, if we can't talk about it, how are we supposed to heal from it? The stigma around mental illness is still there, but I think Fetterman's bravery is helping to chip away at that . We need more people in positions of power being open and honest about their struggles so we can all feel less alone

I mean come on Fetterman is basically saying he's weak because he can't handle the pressure of being a senator? Like what kind of stress do you think goes with winning an election? It's like he's trying to be a hero by admitting he needs help. Newsflash John, we've all been there and it doesn't make you any less of a person. And honestly, his interview sounds like a total scripted PR stunt to me. Where's the real vulnerability? I'm not buying the whole "I didn't want to be known as a struggling senator" vibe...

I think its super cool that John Fetterman is being so open about his depression struggles ! As someone who's been through similar stuff, it's amazing to see a public figure like him sharing their story without sugarcoating anything . We need more leaders like him who are willing to talk about mental health and help break the stigma around it . It's actually really inspiring to hear that he wants to be seen as a senator who's not afraid to show vulnerability, rather than just being another successful person with a fancy title . I hope his honesty helps create a ripple effect of positivity and encourages others to speak up about their own mental health journeys

he's doing us all a solid by sharing his story . gotta be real about struggling with depression, it's like, super hard to talk about but Fetterman's being brave . hope more people do the same, ya know? we should all be willing to open up and help each other out . mental health is just as important as physical health, and if someone's not okay, they need help ASAP

I'm really impressed by John Fetterman for being so brave and honest about his depression struggles . It takes a lot of courage to share something like that, especially when you're in the public eye. I think it's amazing how he's using his platform to help others feel more comfortable talking about their own mental health issues . We need more people like him who are willing to break down those barriers and make mental health discussions a normal part of everyday conversations .

I think it's awesome that Fetterman is using his platform to break down barriers around mental health, but let's be real, we need more politicians like him who aren't afraid to show vulnerability . It's time for our leaders to prioritize their own well-being, just like they do for the country . I mean, can you imagine if every senator had to share their struggles with mental health? We'd have a whole new level of transparency and accountability in Congress . It's not just about Fetterman, it's about creating a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness . We need more leaders who are willing to lead by example .

omg i totally get why john fetterman did this its like rly hard 2 talk abt ur mental health issues esp wen u r in the public eye like hes brave 4 shareing his story n stuff n now ppl r more comfortable doin th same its good 2 see ppl lik him whos willin 2 be vulnerable & help others thru it i think its so cool he didnt want 2 b known as "the guy who won but struggled" lol wut a shame dat wud b

The way John Fetterman is talking about his depression stuff is really inspiring... it's like he's breaking down this huge barrier that's surrounding mental health issues for so long He's showing everyone that even someone in a powerful position can struggle, but by speaking out about it, they can help others who are going through the same thing I think we should all be supporting people like Fetterman who are being open and honest about their struggles, 'cause it really is a sign of strength