Bipolar Me

Even though they might like to downplay it, our elected officials are human, too. They have family problems, career problems, financial problems, sexual problems, and other personal problems that they would rather keep out of the spotlight.

Sometimes they have mental problems, too, and they can’t always keep them out of the spotlight. Some fear the public gaze. Others accept it, and even find something positive to share because of their troubles.

This is the story of two men in Congress, each of whom looked into darkness and then the spotlight. How each handled it says something, not just about the men, but about what they faced and how anyone else might face it, too.

John Fetterman, a senator from Pennsylvania, has been open about his psychological problems (and his physical ones as well). In 2023, Fetterman suffered a stroke that impaired his auditory processing. In the wake of this, he developed clinical depression. His office told the public about his decision to seek treatment. Fetterman spent six weeks as an inpatient at Walter Reed Hospital getting treatment for the depression and then returned to Congress.

Tom Kean, a representative member of Congress from New Jersey, was missing from public view for 117 days this spring, missing 100 congressional votes during that period and time on the campaign trail. As time went on, the press and public, mystified by his absence, began to search for an explanation.

Just this June 30, Kean revealed that he had been an inpatient in a psychiatric facility being treated for clinical depression. He gave a brief speech in front of the House of Representatives regarding his unexplained disappearance from the political scene, but did not issue a press release or take questions. He said that he discovered that he was having a depressive condition as a result of a medical diagnosis, and that he had hoped to be released from inpatient treatment in just a few weeks. “I am grateful that I accepted help because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love,” he stated. “I am a private person by nature,” Kean said. “Talking about myself has never come naturally, but I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey’s 7th District, to my colleagues in this chamber and to the American people for my absence.”

Fetterman has since used his public platform to talk about depression, its symptoms and effects. In particular, he has spoken about men’s mental health and encouraged anyone experiencing depression symptoms to talk to pursue treatment, whether that be outpatient talk therapy or inpatient hospitalization. “I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works,” Fetterman has said. “This isn’t about politics. Right now, there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help.”

Kean has been much less forthcoming, though it’s only fair to note that he was only recently released from the hospital. “I am a private person by nature,” Kean said. “I’ve spent most of my life talking about the people I represent, the issues facing our communities, and the work that needs to be done. Talking about myself has never come naturally.” During his absence, his office said only that he had a personal medical condition. Of course, it is Kean’s right to keep his medical problems out of the public eye, but his lengthy absence had sparked both speculation and concern.

But Kean’s reticence may also reflect the stigma that still accompanies treatment for depression and other mental illnesses. Fetterman’s openness, on the other hand, has had the effect of bringing psychological conditions and their treatment forward. We may hope that other people, and in particular other men, may find the courage to recognize their need for help and take the steps needed to confront and overcome depression or another mental illness.