On Wednesday, Feb. 15, newly elected Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. This marks the Democrat’s second trip to the hospital this month, with the first in early February after Fetterman reported being lightheaded while attending a retreat in Washington.
“John, Gisele – Jill and I are thinking about your family today,” President Joe Biden wrote in a tweet. “Millions of people struggle with depression every day, often in private. Getting the care you need is brave and important. We’re grateful to you for leading by example.”
Last May, Fetterman had a stroke during the midterm election cycle, sidelining him for two months. However, this did not stop him from winning the highly competitive election. The senator continues to struggle with auditory processing and uses a device that translates voice to closed caption text to help him in Congress.
According to the American Stroke Association, it is common for recent stroke survivors to suffer from depression. This may also make the stroke rehabilitation process more challenging. When the brain becomes injured, it can become difficult for individuals to experience positive emotions. However, Fetterman’s office reported that he has been struggling with this mental illness on and off throughout his life. It had only become severe in recent weeks, prompting Fetterman to voluntarily check himself into the hospital.
Multiple sources have conflicting reports on how long Fetterman will stay in the hospital, with some detailing a short-term recovery while others say he could be there for more than a month. Currently, doctors are trying different medications to see what will work for Fetterman. However, perfecting the dosage will take time.
Many people have acknowledged Fetterman’s strength for seeking out mental health services, emphasizing that he is setting an example for the rest of the country.
“John Fetterman has always been 100% true to himself and he has always been a fighter,” Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar tweeted. “Seeing him take the time and get the care he needs will help so many others who are battling depression.”
On the other hand, some have called out Fetterman’s inability to serve the American people, as he has only been in office for a short period of time.
“With Senator John Fetterman entering the hospital again for depression, it’s absolutely clear how cruel and disgusting it was for his party, family, and the media to have placed him in this position,” conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro wrote on Twitter. “There is no excuse other than pure power for Fetterman to remain a senator. A Democrat will replace him; the governor of PA is a Democrat. It is unconscionable for anyone, particularly family, to continue to put him in this position,” he added.
Although there are contrasting opinions concerning Fetterman’s ability to fulfill his duty in Congress, an aide told NBC that resignation plans have never been discussed. This implies that once discharged from the hospital, Fetterman will return to Washington to serve the people of Pennsylvania.
