Pa. Senator John Fetterman opens up about his battle with depression, says he's 'more confident' now.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who won a tight election in November, sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS News to discuss the challenges he faced in the campaign and how it affected him personally.
Fetterman revealed that during his presidential campaign, he struggled with depression, which he said made it difficult for him to connect with voters. He described himself as being "in a downward spiral," saying that the pressure of the election and the expectations placed on him weighed heavily on him.
However, Fetterman said he's now more confident in himself, his abilities, and his message. He attributed this newfound confidence to the support of his family, friends, and staff, as well as his own resilience and determination.
"Fighting depression is hard, but I was determined to show people that you can still be a leader, still be a senator, while living with something like this," Fetterman said in an interview. "It's not easy, but it's worth it."
Fetterman also spoke about the need for mental health support and reduced stigma around discussing mental health issues. He called on politicians to prioritize their mental well-being and encouraged Americans to speak openly about their struggles with depression and anxiety.
The Senator emphasized that his story is a reminder that mental health matters, and that no one should have to face it alone.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who won a tight election in November, sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS News to discuss the challenges he faced in the campaign and how it affected him personally.
Fetterman revealed that during his presidential campaign, he struggled with depression, which he said made it difficult for him to connect with voters. He described himself as being "in a downward spiral," saying that the pressure of the election and the expectations placed on him weighed heavily on him.
However, Fetterman said he's now more confident in himself, his abilities, and his message. He attributed this newfound confidence to the support of his family, friends, and staff, as well as his own resilience and determination.
"Fighting depression is hard, but I was determined to show people that you can still be a leader, still be a senator, while living with something like this," Fetterman said in an interview. "It's not easy, but it's worth it."
Fetterman also spoke about the need for mental health support and reduced stigma around discussing mental health issues. He called on politicians to prioritize their mental well-being and encouraged Americans to speak openly about their struggles with depression and anxiety.
The Senator emphasized that his story is a reminder that mental health matters, and that no one should have to face it alone.
I think it's refreshing to see a high-profile figure like John Fetterman opening up about his struggles with depression. It's a huge step in normalizing the conversation around mental health 
. His story highlights the importance of seeking support and prioritizing one's well-being, especially when faced with intense public pressure. I also appreciate his call to action on reducing stigma and encouraging politicians to prioritize their mental health – it's a much-needed push towards creating a more compassionate and supportive environment for everyone 
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I think its so cool that John Fetterman is being open about his battle with depression. He's literally breaking down the stigma around mental health issues 
. Its crazy how much pressure politicians are under, especially when you're running for office 
. But honestly, if he was able to get through it and come out stronger on the other side, then that's super inspiring 
. Mental health support is so important, especially in politics where people often put others first 
. I'm glad he's using his platform to raise awareness about this stuff 
. It's like, okay we know it's real, and it's not something to be ashamed of 
. His story is giving me hope that we can create a more supportive environment where people don't feel alone when they're dealing with stuff like depression 
... honestly, if politicians are doing it, maybe it'll make a difference in the general public too 
This is amazing! I'm so proud of him for being so open about his struggle. It's like he's saying "hey guys, we all have demons in our heads, but we can fight them together" 
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. Can't help but feel like he's more of an inspiration than just a politician speaking out – all those late nights must've taken a toll on him, you know? Glad he's found some confidence again and is pushing for mental health support 
. People need to listen up – depression isn't something you can 'toughen' through or 'get over'. It's real, it's hard, but if someone as prominent like Fetterman can speak out about it... maybe we'll start seeing some actual change