so John Fetterman was hospitalised for depression recently. How do you feel about people with mental health office being in elected office?

43 comments

  1. I generally don’t discriminate against people for disability and illness.

    How do you feel about people that recently had cancer holding public office?

  2. I’m OK with it as long as it doesn’t interfere with their work. I don’t see Fetterman having depression as being fundamentally different then FDR being in a wheelchair

  3. Im glad the negative stigma surrounding mental health is wearing off and people are unapologetically able to seek the help they need.

  4. Depression isn’t an uncommon condition. I still question his fitness for office for other reasons.

  7. Welcome back grapp.

    I’m fine with it.

    Lots of people have health issues and it’s largely none of our business. It doesn’t make him incapable of doing his job. If he’s using his platform to normalize getting help with mental health issues, that’s a very positive gesture.

  8. It depends. I’ve personally never heard of someone checking into a hospital for depression unless they had suicidal ideation, so that’s alarming. Fetterman should’ve been focusing on his health after surviving that stroke.

  9. There shouldn’t be a stigma about mental health. I don’t know the details of this case, but generally if a public figure is able to get treatment and then carry on with their work, then that’s positive and sets a good example.

  10. Somewhat of a requirement, I think. I don’t see many well balanced people wanting to subject themselves to that lifestyle.

  11. I respect people who acknowledge they have mental health struggles and seek help. That includes politicians and other positions of power. I am SURE he’s not the only senator with depression 😬

  12. Depends how bad his mental health is. I see more and more people that start with depression and then progress to all kinds of paranoia, delusions, and conspiracy type thinking. I wouldnt want such people in office.

  13. I voted for him and have zero regrets I would vote for him again if the election was today. He’s human like all of us.

    Mental health is still health.

  14. We had a mentally ill orange guy as president for four years. Depression is no big deal whatsoever in comparison.

  15. I think you’d be hard pressed to find any elected official without some sort mental health issues.

  17. I mean, he can hardly talk a coherent sentence, and admitted to hearing voices after his stroke. Depression just seems to be the icing on the cake for him.

  18. Not my monkey, not my circus. But assuming that it’s not affecting his ability to do his job then I don’t see an issue with it.

  19. “with mental health” ? You mean some type of mental health issue?

    Over 50% of people have mental health issues at some time in their life.

    Feels pretty backward to act like they are some “other”. We don’t subject people to DNA screenings for likelihood of illnesses or diseases to get into office.

    And the guy had a stroke and your brain gets fucked up for a bit. Depression is common after a stroke.

  20. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I think it’s good that someone who holds a political office is seeking help for it. Not only do we as humans as a whole need to work on taking the stigma off of seeking help, but also they’re in a position of power that could help make changes for those who need mental health resources.

  21. I don’t think it will inherently prevent him from doing his job, especially since he’s getting care for it. There has to be other politicians with mental illness undiagnosed or otherwise (some more obvious than others). Are we supposed to find it preferable to hide it or go untreated?

  22. I don’t see an issue as long as it doesn’t prevent them from doing their jobs long-term.

  23. I would bet that most American politicians have a mental health issue. I’m happy that at least one politician is open about it, and seeking treatment.

    It’s the untreated people I worry about.

  24. I appreciate that he sought help. We don’t talk about mental health enough.

    Also, hundreds of Republicans hold office at various levels with no complaints despite obvious impairment but it’s suddenly an issue when a big, scary-looking Democrat with tattoos has a legit stroke. Suspicious.

  25. I would rather he have the depression treated than not.

    I have more serious concerns about his heart health, though. Guy has severe congestive heart failure, which even with optimal treatment, has a pretty high 5 year mortality.

    Not that Dr. Oz was a better candidate.

  26. First, it’s a bit concerning to think of someone with mental health issues being in high government office.

    BUT

    It would be far more concerning if the government was allowed to remove people from office because of mental health issues. That’s sort of how the Soviet Union dealt with officials who didn’t agree with the Party, and it’s the top end of a very steep, very slippery slope.

  28. The question really isn’t about mental health, it’s whether they can do the job. If they’re functional, then fine. If they’re not responding to treatment, having a hard time focusing on work, unable to attend meetings, etc., then it’s time to step down.

  29. It’s perfectly fine. As often as we forget, our representatives are people too with their own struggles.

    That said, if the people of Pennsylvania decide he’s not up for reelection in 6 years then they have that right.

  30. Getting help is…healthy. It’s a good thing. If he were my senator, I’d be fine with it. If he continued to have problems and it got to a point where he couldn’t vote or perform constituent services then that would be a different story but that’s not what’s happening right now.

  31. Depression itself doesn’t really concern me. Being hospitalized for depression once or twice would give me a little concern, but as long as they are still able to recover and function normally I wouldn’t worry too much.

    Now if hospitalizations for mental heath became a trend I would seriously question whether or not it’s impacting their job performance. If it did turn out to be negatively influencing their judgement or too large of a distraction I would think the best course of action for all involved would be for them to resign.

    Frankly, I don’t know Fetterman’s condition well enough to cast judgement, but I hope he gets the help he needs and is able to serve out the term he was elected to.

  32. I’d be more concerned if he didn’t seek help for it or denied having a problem despite obvious signs otherwise.

    As it is, my only concern is for him and that he gets better.

  33. I’m glad that he sought help, he’s being proactive. I can think of quite a few politicians who don’t realize they need mental help.

  34. The only thing I think about it is I wish more Americans had the ability to take time off a job for illness, that they didn’t have high insurance premiums or medical debt, and that seeking help for mental health concerns wasn’t so stigmatized. I hope he gets well and has the help he needs.

  35. Think about how shitty we know national politics are. Now know that it’s just the surface that you can see from a distance. Actual elected officials are neck deep in the shit. I’m glad he’s seeking help, I know I couldn’t do it.

  36. People that need help should feel comfortable getting it.

    I would much rather someone get the care they need and have appropriate counseling and/or medications than to avoid seeking diagnosis and treatment because it will end their career.

    Hiding embarrassing and career threatening details can be a significant threat to national security. It’s things like that which end up getting used as leverage.

  37. People with mild to moderate depression typically aren’t hospitalized, we’re treated by clinicians and psychiatrists on an outpatient basis. If he was hospitalized then his depression is likely very severe which could very well affect his capacity as a representative. That definitely is something to be concerned about.

  39. I think it’s cool cause it normalises those conditions and hopefully gives people the confidence to speak out

  40. I have a lot more respect for someone that realizes it, admits it, and seeks treatment, rather than hide and does a sub-par job.

  42. I’m not worried about someone with depression being in public office. As long as they are mentally aware and they can handle the job, then it’s their business. Frankly, I’m sure most people would have depression after getting involved in politics. It’s a cutthroat arena.

  43. That seems like actually a much lower priority for his health picture overall. The man has had a major stroke. He’s wasn’t healthy enough to run for the senate to begin with, but his handlers kind of just did it anyways. I’m no fan of Oz, but what Fetterman’s campaign did to him is just cruel.

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