Senator speaks out about his struggle with depression | CNN Politics

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has spoken candidly about his battle with depression, revealing that it had taken a toll on him even after winning a tight election. The conversation comes as Fetterman continues to navigate the aftermath of his historic victory.

In an exclusive interview with CBS, Fetterman opened up about the struggles he faced during his campaign and how it ultimately contributed to his mental health issues. He described feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to perform and the constant scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye.

Fetterman admitted that depression was a significant factor in his decision to step down as the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania last year. He stated that he wanted to prioritize his well-being, but ultimately decided not to seek re-election due to concerns about his mental health.

The senator's candid discussion has sparked conversation and support among many in Washington D.C., who are using the opportunity to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma around depression. Fetterman's willingness to share his personal struggles is seen as a positive step forward, with many hoping that it will help inspire others to open up about their own experiences.

As Fetterman continues to navigate this new chapter in his life, one thing is clear: he is using his platform to speak out about an issue that affects millions of people worldwide. By sharing his story, the senator is taking a crucial step towards promoting mental health awareness and encouraging others to prioritize their well-being.

he's so brave for sharing this with us... like, it takes alot of courage to be that open ... i feel bad for him tho, all that pressure & scrutiny can be really toxic ... glad ppl are having these conversations tho #MentalHealthMatters

Fetterman's bravery is giving us all a much-needed reminder that it's okay to not be okay . Mental health struggles are so real, and we need more people speaking up about them . It takes courage to share your personal battles with depression, but Fetterman's willingness to do so is truly inspiring . We need more leaders like him who prioritize their well-being and aren't afraid to show vulnerability . By breaking the stigma around mental health, we can start to create a more supportive community for those struggling . Let's all take a cue from Fetterman and make sure to check in on each other regularly

I mean think about it... politicians are human beings too, they gotta deal with mental health issues just like us . Fetterman's openness about his struggles is a great example of how we should be supporting our public figures, not just when they're winning elections but also when they're going through tough times . It's all about creating a culture where people feel comfortable talking about their mental health, you know? Like, if politicians can do it, why can't the rest of us? It's time for us to take mental health seriously, not just as an election issue but as a human rights issue .

You know what's crazy? I was just thinking about my own life when I saw this article about John Fetterman . Like, have you ever noticed how weird it is that even when we're doing something awesome like winning an election, our minds can still be super messed up? It's like, yeah, congrats on the win, but can you also just acknowledge that you're feeling anxious and overwhelmed on the inside? I remember when I was studying abroad, I would get these crazy butterflies in my stomach before every exam... it was like, okay, brain, calm down! Anyway, I think Fetterman's being super brave for talking about this stuff, and I hope his honesty helps others feel more comfortable sharing their own struggles. Maybe we can all learn to prioritize our mental health a bit better?

I just got back from vacation and I'm still trying to adjust to being back at work like what's with all these politicians talking about their mental health? Is it something we're supposed to be surprised by now? I mean, John Fetterman is a senator and he's been open about his struggles... shouldn't we already know this about him? Anyway, I think it's good that he's speaking out though. My aunt has depression too and it's so tough for her to talk about it with people

Wow ! It's so inspiring to see someone as powerful as John Fetterman being so open about his struggles with depression. Mental health is such a big deal and it's amazing that he's using his platform to bring attention to it . I'm definitely going to be following his journey and seeing how he continues to use his voice for good

OMG u guys I'm literally dying over here thinking about John Fetterman's conversation with CBS... like how real can you get?! He's not even hiding it anymore, he's just being honest about his struggles with depression and it's giving me LIFE I know some ppl might be thinking "oh great another politician talking about their mental health" but honestly, it's so needed We need more people like Fetterman who are willing to speak up and break the stigma around depression His willingness to share his personal struggles is literally a breath of fresh air I'm all for him using his platform to raise awareness about mental health and encouraging others to prioritize their well-being

I'm so inspired by Sen Fetterman sharing his struggles with depression, it's like he's giving us permission to be vulnerable about our own mental health issues . As someone who's been following his journey from a fan, I can see how the pressure of being in the public eye would take a toll on him. It's not easy being in the spotlight all the time, especially when you're trying to do good for people and make a difference . Now that he's opening up about it, I hope we'll start seeing more politicians like him who are willing to talk about their struggles and help break down those stigma walls . Mental health is just as important as our physical health, and if Sen Fetterman can use his platform to raise awareness and promote positivity, then that's something we should all be supporting .

just saw this interview with Sen John Fetterman on CBS & I'm like totally inspired by him for being so open about his depression struggles . Mental health is super important & we need more people in positions of power talking about it . His willingness to share his story is really brave & it's awesome that he's using his platform to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their well-being . We should all be supporting each other in our mental health journeys, no matter what #MentalHealthMatters #DepressionAwareness #BeTheChange

I'm so impressed with John Fetterman's bravery in opening up about his depression struggles . It takes a lot of courage to share your personal demons, especially when you're under the microscope like that. I think it's awesome that he's using his platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health - we need more people like him speaking out . The fact that he stepped down as Lieutenant Governor to prioritize his well-being shows just how serious this issue is for him, and I'm glad he's taking steps to promote mental health awareness . We should all be supporting each other in our own struggles, and Fetterman's willingness to share his story is a huge step forward .

I'm reading this news about Sen John Fetterman talking about depression and I gotta say, it's kinda mind-blowing he was struggling even after winning an election. You'd think winning would be like, the ultimate high, but for him it was actually really tough. He said feeling overwhelmed by all the pressure and scrutiny is just so common, you know? Like we're always putting others first and forgetting about ourselves.

It's amazing how his openness is inspiring people to talk more about their own struggles with mental health. We need more of that! We gotta break down those barriers and make it okay to not be okay. I mean, depression affects a lot of people, it's not just someone who's "weak" or can't handle the pressure. It's a real thing that we all need to understand and support each other on.

I'm glad he's using his platform to raise awareness about this. We all need to take care of our mental health, you know?

I'm low-key so relieved that John Fetterman is speaking up about his depression struggles It's like, we need more people in positions of power sharing their honest thoughts on mental health, you know? The stigma around depression is still super prevalent and it's time for us to break the silence . I'm all for Fetterman using his platform to raise awareness and encourage others to prioritize their well-being His willingness to be vulnerable is a major step forward in the fight against mental health issues, and I'm rooting for him every step of the way

depression is like a dark cloud following him everywhere... but it's awesome he's speaking out about it! i think it's so brave of him to share his struggles, it'll help people feel less alone . his story is like a warning sign saying "hey, we need to take care of our mental health" . and i love how people in washington d.c. are using this convo as an opportunity to raise awareness . gotta say, it's really inspiring to see someone use their platform for good ... now, if you'll excuse me, i'm gonna draw a simple diagram of a brain with a big X over depression

I gotta say, Fetterman's got some guts for talking about this stuff . I mean, it's one thing to win an election, but another to admit that you're struggling with depression and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure. It takes a lot of courage to share your mental health struggles, especially when you're in the public eye. But at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about all the attention this is getting . Is it really necessary for Fetterman's campaign to be a "hero" for sharing his struggles? Can't people just focus on his policies and accomplishments without making him some kinda mental health icon? Still, I guess if it helps raise awareness and encourages others to speak up, then good on 'em . But let's not forget that Fetterman is still a politician, after all .

I'm glad Fetterman is speaking up about depression, it's about time we break down those stigmas around mental illness . But I gotta say, stepping down from Lieutenant Governor due to mental health concerns kinda worries me . What if he could've found ways to manage it while still doing his job? It's all good that he prioritized his well-being, but can we ensure there are better support systems in place for politicians who struggle with similar issues?

I'm glad to see John Fetterman being open about his depression . It's about time someone in such a high-profile position talks about it. I mean, he won an election while dealing with mental health issues, that's crazy enough. But what's even crazier is how little attention was given to it back then. Anyway, it's good that he's using his platform now to raise awareness and reduce stigma around depression. It's still a big issue, especially in politics . I hope more people follow suit and start talking about their mental health struggles. But, you know, I'm not sure if this will make a huge difference or just be another PR stunt . Still, it's better than nothing, right?

it's crazy how much pressure politicians put on themselves, especially when you're in the public eye . Fetterman's openness about depression is like a breath of fresh air - we need more people speaking up about mental health issues and how they affect them . I mean, who wouldn't be overwhelmed with the constant scrutiny and pressure to perform? It's no wonder he stepped down as Lieutenant Governor last year - his well-being was clearly suffering . But by sharing his story now, Fetterman is helping to change the narrative around mental health and encouraging others to do the same . We need more politicians like him who are willing to be vulnerable and honest about their struggles .

I feel bad for him, you know? I've been going through some stuff too in school . It's like, everyone expects us to be fine all the time, but no one talks about how hard it is to deal with stress and anxiety. Like, I get my exams coming up soon and I'm already stressing out about them . It's nice that Senator Fetterman is speaking out about his struggles because it makes me feel like I'm not alone in this stuff. We should all be supporting each other more, you know? Maybe schools can even start teaching mental health in class or something .

Man, I feel so bad for John Fetterman . He's been through so much already, from winning that tight election to dealing with depression afterwards. It's like, you'd think he'd be on top of the world after all that, but nope . I mean, can you imagine having to put on a happy face all the time when really you're struggling inside? That must've been super tough for him.

I'm actually kinda glad he spoke out about it though . It's like, we need more people in positions of power being honest about their struggles, you know? We need to break down that stigma around depression and mental health issues. I mean, it's not something you can just 'snap out of' or 'toughen up' – it's a real condition that affects people from all walks of life.

I think Fetterman is using his platform for good , and that's awesome to see. Maybe he can help inspire others to do the same? We need more people talking about their mental health struggles so we can all support each other better .