Thank you Dan and Elliott. Fetterman and others struggling with this disease deserve compassion, not criticism. His actions make him a leader as he led by example. I wish him well.
So glad you chose to write about this today, instead of more coverage of DT. Such courage it took for Senator Fetterman to speak openly about his struggles. I lost my only sibling to suicide in 1991 and at that time there was so much shame involved. Mental health struggles were not something you talked about or shared with others. It made my grief harder to process. I've had my own struggles with depression over the years, although not as severe as my brother's. I'm so pleased that as a society we are moving in the direction of understanding for all who struggle with mental health. Thank you again for sharing the Senator's story today.
Thank you for this article. It is a lovely counter-narrative to the noise out there.
I would also add that depression often follows a stroke.
My son was peppered with questions designed to identify depression as he was treated after his stroke. Unfortunately it reared its ugly head after - not while - he received services. Understandable for a person who brain and body has received such a blow. The support the senator received from colleagues indicates they have not lost their humanity & that should make us hopeful that the ship is capable of turning.
John Fetterman is an amazing person. His willingness to openly discuss his depression should be celebrated and his recovery offers hope to those struggling with illness. Mr. Fetterman is a beacon for good people all over this country.
This is a great person, and yet there are those who choose to celebrate the impaired, disgraced, twice impeached former guy, who has no redeeming qualities!
Thank you, Dan! I don’t often comment here, but as a professional counselor, I really appreciate the topic. I am so thankful for people like Senator Fetterman who are willing to speak publicly about depression. And how about Jane Pauley? Not only is she an amazing journalist, she just might have made a good counselor herself. Her reflections were excellent and she helped the Senator re-frame his sadness about entering treatment on his son’s birthday! I could see him respond to her in a meaningful way. It’s so great to watch people helping each other. We certainly need more of that!
And let us not forget, some of the world’s greatest leaders, including Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, suffered mightily with this disease, but were still able somehow to overcome their “Black Dogs” and listen through their despair, to their own Better Angels. And lead humanity, still, even today, to hear our own.
If you want an accurate description of my depression was like, read the epilogue of Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison’s book “An Unquiet Mind.” Read it slowly, one sentence at a time, carefully consider what it means. Now live that way for six months, sitting in the living room chair, telling yourself that you’re not going to kill yourself now because if it isn’t better on 20 minutes you can do it then. Repeat every day, all day long, for six months.
I greatly admire John Fetterman. May he successfully continue his journey into wellness. Thank you for this reminder that are other important stories than those featuring Donald Trump. Our media needs an intervention.
So proud of John Fetterman we all need strong people to stand up to mental health for us all. God Bless you stay strong never let anyone pull you down.
A very courageous person! Mental health issues are anathema in this country. People are embarrassed to admit the problem. We speak about in whispers. It doesn’t disappear overnight and it’s not cured. People learn skills to deal with their symptoms. I’m very glad the senator spoke up. Mental health issues in my family have raised my attention to it. It’s not something to be ashamed of. Not something to be hidden. I had severe pain in my knee, had a replacement, did the PT work and I walk comfortably all over now. Mental illness is the same. People have symptoms, consult a doctor, are treated and taught skills to enable them to go out into the world. Let’s not hide this anymore. Let’s help.
The potential to play any role lies in honesty, authenticity, and thus trust. This should be seen as the primary standard for leadership. Thank you Mr. Fetterman for showing us what that looks like. Best wishes for a brilliant life and career.
This is courage, conviction and commitment in action by this inspiring politician. Well done Senator Fetterman!
Thank you Dan and Elliott. Fetterman and others struggling with this disease deserve compassion, not criticism. His actions make him a leader as he led by example. I wish him well.
It is conceivable that John may have helped many people by his openness. He will never know how many lives he has positively affected.
So glad you chose to write about this today, instead of more coverage of DT. Such courage it took for Senator Fetterman to speak openly about his struggles. I lost my only sibling to suicide in 1991 and at that time there was so much shame involved. Mental health struggles were not something you talked about or shared with others. It made my grief harder to process. I've had my own struggles with depression over the years, although not as severe as my brother's. I'm so pleased that as a society we are moving in the direction of understanding for all who struggle with mental health. Thank you again for sharing the Senator's story today.
Thank you for this article. It is a lovely counter-narrative to the noise out there.
I would also add that depression often follows a stroke.
My son was peppered with questions designed to identify depression as he was treated after his stroke. Unfortunately it reared its ugly head after - not while - he received services. Understandable for a person who brain and body has received such a blow. The support the senator received from colleagues indicates they have not lost their humanity & that should make us hopeful that the ship is capable of turning.
John Fetterman is an amazing person. His willingness to openly discuss his depression should be celebrated and his recovery offers hope to those struggling with illness. Mr. Fetterman is a beacon for good people all over this country.
This is a great person, and yet there are those who choose to celebrate the impaired, disgraced, twice impeached former guy, who has no redeeming qualities!
More reporting like this, please.
We're all pretty tired of hearing about dysfunctional people!
Thank you!
Thank you, Dan! I don’t often comment here, but as a professional counselor, I really appreciate the topic. I am so thankful for people like Senator Fetterman who are willing to speak publicly about depression. And how about Jane Pauley? Not only is she an amazing journalist, she just might have made a good counselor herself. Her reflections were excellent and she helped the Senator re-frame his sadness about entering treatment on his son’s birthday! I could see him respond to her in a meaningful way. It’s so great to watch people helping each other. We certainly need more of that!
And let us not forget, some of the world’s greatest leaders, including Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, suffered mightily with this disease, but were still able somehow to overcome their “Black Dogs” and listen through their despair, to their own Better Angels. And lead humanity, still, even today, to hear our own.
If that isn’t “fit,” then what is?
If you want an accurate description of my depression was like, read the epilogue of Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison’s book “An Unquiet Mind.” Read it slowly, one sentence at a time, carefully consider what it means. Now live that way for six months, sitting in the living room chair, telling yourself that you’re not going to kill yourself now because if it isn’t better on 20 minutes you can do it then. Repeat every day, all day long, for six months.
I greatly admire John Fetterman. May he successfully continue his journey into wellness. Thank you for this reminder that are other important stories than those featuring Donald Trump. Our media needs an intervention.
So proud of John Fetterman we all need strong people to stand up to mental health for us all. God Bless you stay strong never let anyone pull you down.
A very courageous person! Mental health issues are anathema in this country. People are embarrassed to admit the problem. We speak about in whispers. It doesn’t disappear overnight and it’s not cured. People learn skills to deal with their symptoms. I’m very glad the senator spoke up. Mental health issues in my family have raised my attention to it. It’s not something to be ashamed of. Not something to be hidden. I had severe pain in my knee, had a replacement, did the PT work and I walk comfortably all over now. Mental illness is the same. People have symptoms, consult a doctor, are treated and taught skills to enable them to go out into the world. Let’s not hide this anymore. Let’s help.
The potential to play any role lies in honesty, authenticity, and thus trust. This should be seen as the primary standard for leadership. Thank you Mr. Fetterman for showing us what that looks like. Best wishes for a brilliant life and career.
Strong men are also vulnerable.
Critical clarifications and an even more critical plea. Thank you for doing so.