WASHINGTON—Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., checked himself into a hospital to “receive treatment for clinical depression,” his chief of staff Adam Jentleson said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Fetterman’s latest treatment comes as he is still in recovery from a May stroke that has required the use of closed captioning to help him communicate on the campaign trail and in the Senate.
He checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last night, Jentleson said.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” he said.
Fetterman’s wife, Gisele, said on Twitter Thursday afternoon she was proud of her husband.
“After what he’s been through in the past year, there’s probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John,” she said. “I’m so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs.”
Fetterman last year raised awareness about stroke victims and recovery, gaining cross-party support in the midterms from others in recovery.
Now, as a sitting senator, his condition is raising awareness about mental health, with many reacting on social media with well wishes and their personal stories about living with depression.
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Fetterman was evaluated Monday by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress, Jentleson said in a statement. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed, and Fetterman agreed to receive care voluntarily.
“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself,” Jentleson said.
Fetterman was hospitalized last week after feeling lightheaded, and doctors at George Washington University hospital determined he had not had another stroke.
Gisele Fetterman requested privacy during “a difficult time.”
“For us, the kids come first,” she said of their three children. “Take care of yourselves. Hold your loved ones close, you are not alone.”
Mental health resources:
- If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time day or night, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (para español presiona el 2)
- Veteran’s Crisis Line: 988, then select 1, or text: 838255
- Support Line for Physicians: 1-888-409-0141 – physiciansupportline.com
- Help for Native American people: StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) or chat online
- Resources for Black people: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/black-mental-health
- Ayuda en español: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol
- Find treatment: findtreatment.gov
Candy Woodall is a Congress reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.
Story Credit: usatoday.com