Fetterman returns to the Senate following therapy for scientific despair | CNN Politics

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Sen. John Fetterman has returned to the Senate after receiving therapy for scientific despair at Walter Reed Nationwide Army Medical Middle. The Pennsylvania Democrat started inpatient therapy in February and was discharged on the finish of March.

“It’s nice to be again,” he advised reporters as he arrived on the Capitol Monday afternoon. He didn’t reply questions.

“I would like everybody to know that despair is treatable, and therapy works,” Fetterman mentioned in a press release after his launch. “This isn’t about politics — proper now there are people who find themselves struggling with despair in crimson counties and blue counties. When you need assistance, please get assist.” His workplace had mentioned he would return to Washington, DC, when the Senate got here again into session on April 17 following a two-week recess.

Whereas Fetterman had handled “despair on and off all through his life, it solely grew to become extreme in current weeks,” his chief of workers mentioned in February, saying that the senator had determined to hunt therapy.

Fetterman, a 53-year-old freshman senator who was elected in November of final yr, suffered a stroke forward of the the Might 2022 Democratic Senate main in Pennsylvania, which he went on to win.

Lawmakers on each side of the aisle expressed assist for the Pennsylvania Democrat as he underwent therapy for scientific despair – and Fetterman’s choice to hunt therapy opened up a broader dialog on Capitol Hill about psychological well being.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, CNN’s Lauren Fox that Fetterman “saved lives” by being public about getting assist for his despair.

“I believe John Fetterman saved lives by being a distinguished one that stepped up and mentioned he had an issue with psychological well being points and he would search therapy in a really seen and public manner,” Warren mentioned.

Editor’s Be aware: When you or somebody you recognize is fighting suicidal ideas or psychological well being issues, please name the 988 Suicide and Disaster Lifeline, or go to the hotline’s web site.