The Pennsylvania US senator John Fetterman checked into hospital on Wednesday to receive treatment for clinical depression, his chief of staff said.
The news came a week after the Democrat, who suffered a stroke while campaigning last year, was hospitalised after feeling light-headed. Fetterman is a rising star among Democrats.
In a statement on Thursday, Fetterman’s chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, said: “While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks.”
Last November, the 53-year-old former mayor of Braddock and state lieutenant governor flipped a Republican-held Senate seat, defeating the Trump-endorsed celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to give his party control of the chamber by 51 seats to 49.
Fetterman suffered a serious stroke during the campaign, prompting Republicans to claim he was not fit to take office.
In his victory speech, Fetterman referred to the stroke when he said he campaigned for “anyone that ever got knocked down that got back up”.
Last Wednesday, Fetterman was taken to hospital in Washington DC after feeling light-headed at a Democratic event.
He was released last Friday. A spokesperson said then: “In addition to the CT, CTA, and MRI tests ruling out a stroke, his EEG test results came back normal, with no evidence of seizures. John is looking forward to spending some time with his family and returning to the Senate on Monday.”
In his statement on Thursday, Jentleson said: “On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr Brian P Monahan, the attending physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed” in Bethesda, Maryland.
“John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis. After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Among well-wishers, the former Obama adviser Tommy Vietor said Fetterman was “incredibly brave … to talk about his mental health challenges publicly, especially knowing that people will try to exploit it for political purposes.
“But his decision to come forward will undoubtedly help encourage others to seek help.”
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John Fetterman, the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, has been hospitalised to treat clinical depression according to his Chief of Staff, Mary Isenhour.
Isenhour stated that Fetterman had been struggling for some time and had been privately managing his health with the help of his family, but that “his internal struggle has not diminished, leading them to seek additional help.” She went on to say that Fetterman entered a hospital for treatment on Sunday, but would remain on the job.
Isenhour made the announcement on the Lieutenant Governor’s behalf in order to raise awareness of the serious issue of depression, and to empower individuals who are struggling with the same illness. In her statement, she highlighted the need for people to talk about depression and mental health more openly, and expressed their commitment to promoting resources for those in need.
The announcement comes at a time of overall mental health awareness and a rising number of cases of depression in the United States. Fetterman has expressed his commitment to fighting for mental health initiatives and Isenhour said he will “continue to fight” while under treatment.
Fetterman has thanked his supporters for their well-wishes, and stated that he is determined to fight his sickness and will “get back to work as soon as possible.” This sentiment has been echoed by Isenhour, who implored supporters to “continue to fight alongside [Fetterman] and those he represents.”
John Fetterman’s hospitalization marks a larger issue of depression that is facing the country, and it is hoped that his example will inspire discussion and provide strength for others.