Senator speaks out about his struggle with depression | CNN Politics

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has spoken candidly about his struggles with depression, revealing the emotional toll it took on him in the aftermath of winning a tight election.

Fetterman, who won the Senate seat in November 2022 after a narrow victory over Republican candidate Mehmet Oz, opened up to CBS News about how he battled with depression following the election. The senator described his condition as being like being "trapped in a never-ending downward spiral," adding that it affected his relationships with friends and family.

Fetterman revealed he first experienced symptoms of depression shortly after winning the election, describing it as feeling "like being lost" and having "no direction." He stated that his struggle was exacerbated by the intense scrutiny following the election.

"I don't think I would have been able to win this Senate seat if I had just taken care of myself," Fetterman said. "If you're struggling with mental health issues, please reach out for help."

The senator's candid conversation about depression and mental health comes as more public figures begin speaking openly about their struggles with the condition.

Fetterman also expressed his gratitude to the media platform on which he shared his story, stating that it helped him receive the support he needed. He further stressed the importance of discussing mental health issues in order to help others who may be going through similar challenges.

The conversation highlights Fetterman's commitment to raising awareness about depression and providing support for those struggling with it.
 
πŸ€” I'm a bit concerned about all these politicians suddenly talking about their mental health struggles... like they're trying to distract us from the real issues πŸ˜’. It seems like a good PR move, but what about all the people who are still struggling in silence? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ shouldn't we be holding them accountable for speaking up instead of just sharing their personal struggles on social media? πŸ’¬
 
πŸ’”πŸ˜Ÿ just read that pennsylvania senator john fetterman went through a tough time after winning the election 🀯 he talked about feeling lost and without direction after winning which is super relatable lol but also kinda scary πŸŒͺ️ how did he cope? we need to know more about his struggles with depression πŸ’”
 
can't believe we're seeing more public figures opening up about their struggles with depression πŸ€•. as someone who's been there too, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders knowing I'm not alone in this fight πŸ’–. john fetterman is doing the right thing by talking openly about his struggles - it's so brave of him! 😊 we need more people in positions of power sharing their stories to help break down stigmas around mental health. and let's give a shoutout to cbs news for creating space for him to share this πŸ’«
 
🀯 I mean, I was watching this vid where John Fetterman talks about how he struggled with depression after winning the Senate seat... and it's crazy how much it affects your life, you know? I remember when my mom used to deal with anxiety back in '07 and it was so tough on her. She'd just freeze up and not talk to anyone. And now here's this senator talking about being "trapped in a never-ending downward spiral"... it's like, yeah, I can relate to that feeling of being lost and having no direction πŸ˜”. But at the same time, I'm glad he's speaking out about it, 'cause it really does help to break the stigma around mental health issues... 🀝
 
Mental health matters, gotta talk about it πŸ€πŸΌπŸ’”. Fetterman's vulnerability shows us that even in the spotlight, we can't ignore our demons πŸ’€. Hope more people follow his lead and share their own struggles πŸ’¬. Mental health is just as important as physical health πŸ₯πŸ’ͺ
 
I'm not sure I buy this "break the silence" thing πŸ€”. I mean, we've all heard politicians talk about their struggles before, but how many of them actually follow through on making a real change? It feels like Fetterman is just using his platform to boost his public image, you know? He's already won a Senate seat and seems to be doing okay... what exactly does he plan to do to help others who are struggling with depression? Is it just going to be more feel-good speeches and media appearances? πŸ™„
 
😊 I'm glad Senator Fetterman is speaking out about his struggles with depression, it's so brave of him! πŸ™ I think it's awesome that he's using his platform to help others who might be going through the same thing. πŸ’– Mental health is super important and we should all be supporting each other, not just talking about it. πŸ’¬ I've seen some really positive changes on platforms like this one, where people can share their stories and connect with others who understand what they're going through. 🌈 We need more of that! 😊
 
I'M SO GLAD HE'S TALKING ABOUT THIS!!! IT'S LIKE, MENTAL HEALTH IS SUCH A BIG DEAL AND WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE JOHN TO SHARE THEIR STORIES. I MEAN, HE COULD'VE JUST KEPT IT UNDER WRAP AND NO ONE WOULD'VE KNOWN ANY DIFFERENT, BUT INSTEAD HE'S BEING SO HONEST AND HELPING OTHERS BY DOING SO. IT'S ALSO PRETTY IMPRESSIVE THAT HE REALIZED HE NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF AFTER WINNING THE ELECTION. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO PRIORITIZE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH! 😊
 
You gotta wonder, what's behind all these public figures spilling their guts about depression? Is it just a PR stunt or is it genuinely helping break the stigma around mental health issues? I mean, think about it, some of them are already in high-profile positions, so do they really need to be sharing their personal struggles on national TV? On one hand, it's awesome that we're seeing more people speak up and seek help. But on the other hand, aren't we just creating a culture where everyone feels pressured to share their deepest secrets? What about those who might not feel comfortable opening up about their mental health struggles? Shouldn't we be focusing on supporting them in private, rather than making it a public spectacle? πŸ€”
 
πŸ€” I think its really refreshing to see a politician like John Fetterman being so open about his struggles with depression. Its like, we need more people in positions of power sharing their mental health struggles because its still such a taboo topic for a lot of people. But Fettermans honesty is gonna help so many others feel less alone and more comfortable talking about it too.

And I love how he framed taking care of his mental health as being crucial to his success - like, if you're not looking after yourself, its impossible to do anything well or effectively. That's a really important message, especially for young people who are gonna be facing their own struggles in the future.

I also think its awesome that hes getting so much praise for sharing this stuff, because usually politicians just get painted as being weak if they talk about their mental health. But Fetterman is like, "Hey, I'm human too, and I need help sometimes." And thats really inspiring to see! 🌟
 
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