Thank you for focusing on a different type of struggle in politics. As a former teacher, I think of the students I taught who, in retrospect, suffered from depression and at an older age chose to end their lives. These were smart, athletic, beautiful people who had so much to contribute. Our world continues to lose so much potential wisdom and energy due to the suicides of young people. I hope the courageousness of John Fetterman's decision to share his experience as well as the faith of the voters of Pennsylvania who elected him serves to support the youth finding themselves at the edge of chosing life over death.
As a woman fighting depression for decades, I am uplifted by Fetterman's story. As with anyone in the public eye who stands up and says this is my truth, he is risking something that makes him very vulnerable. But some how he chose to be strong. To speak his truth. I wish him only the best.
Unfortunately, like millions of others, I have not been able to find that same strength. That vulnerability of being less of a person, or just being different, has kept me from sharing with my family how I feel, how I live, and how I spend my time. It's all a big secret. I am ashamed. I feel like they will never understand. I spend all day in bed with little interest in anything. I don't eat right, I am losing weight, which I justify by saying I need to lose the lbs. I have to force myself to take a shower and change clothes. I try to make plans but end up making last minute excuses, preferring to just stay in bed.
Here's what I don't understand! There are so few mental health workers available. It takes months to book an appointment to see a psychiatrist. So many therapists are leaving the field because they can't make enough money with all of today's insurance loop holes. You can talk to your primary physician and let him/her throw out tons of medications that could help but that is not their specialty. Bad choice for sure.
Over the years I have done all of these, seen a psychiatrist, seen several therapist, even went so far as having 18 ECT treatments. All that did was affect my memory. I am not suicidal. I still manage to get through my life some how. But at 65, I am hitting the brick wall every day and wondering what am I doing it all for? I want to know which way to turn!
Unfortunately I was unable to access the video from Canada. This is a remarkabe interview and I truly hope it will soften the still ubiquitous stigma of mental illness.
So proud of this guy. Real guts. Real courage in the face of the fire. I'm rooting for him and can't wait to see the better days ahead unfold for a real hero.
I saw the interview. It was nuanced and brought up an interesting thing about many mental health issues and why people slip through the cracks. He said he was never suicidal but “agnostic.” Indifferent. Many languish unseen in this never land.
It is also generational; growing up with a very depressed Mother I know. She went to work every day but came home and went to her bedroom and shut the door. A new catchword in mental health is “spectrum” which has helped many to gain insight to themselves and others.
Senator Fetterman's story is a classic story of a man struggling to do the right thing, battling physical issues, made more complicated by strong enough to raise his hand and ask for the help he needed. He has the support of a loving family, a loyal staff and many constituents who voted for him when he was in the middle of the battle of his life. From where I sit, this is a classic Good Friday story, with all the detractors which will I hope and trust end in the Easter Sunday victory. We, in this country, have so much to learn not from his struggle, but the personal courage and integrity with which he dealt with every aspect of it. Our country could use more men and women of this caliber. I pray he makes a full recovery and teaches a Master Class in strength and integrity to those in such woeful need of this education. Shalom!
I am struck by this giant of a man being so open and honest about his illness. His courage and honesty are a boon to not only the Senate, but to all of us.
A leader who leads by example, with courage, and humanity.
Thank you for focusing on a different type of struggle in politics. As a former teacher, I think of the students I taught who, in retrospect, suffered from depression and at an older age chose to end their lives. These were smart, athletic, beautiful people who had so much to contribute. Our world continues to lose so much potential wisdom and energy due to the suicides of young people. I hope the courageousness of John Fetterman's decision to share his experience as well as the faith of the voters of Pennsylvania who elected him serves to support the youth finding themselves at the edge of chosing life over death.
❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🩶🤍
THANKS
As a woman fighting depression for decades, I am uplifted by Fetterman's story. As with anyone in the public eye who stands up and says this is my truth, he is risking something that makes him very vulnerable. But some how he chose to be strong. To speak his truth. I wish him only the best.
Unfortunately, like millions of others, I have not been able to find that same strength. That vulnerability of being less of a person, or just being different, has kept me from sharing with my family how I feel, how I live, and how I spend my time. It's all a big secret. I am ashamed. I feel like they will never understand. I spend all day in bed with little interest in anything. I don't eat right, I am losing weight, which I justify by saying I need to lose the lbs. I have to force myself to take a shower and change clothes. I try to make plans but end up making last minute excuses, preferring to just stay in bed.
Here's what I don't understand! There are so few mental health workers available. It takes months to book an appointment to see a psychiatrist. So many therapists are leaving the field because they can't make enough money with all of today's insurance loop holes. You can talk to your primary physician and let him/her throw out tons of medications that could help but that is not their specialty. Bad choice for sure.
Over the years I have done all of these, seen a psychiatrist, seen several therapist, even went so far as having 18 ECT treatments. All that did was affect my memory. I am not suicidal. I still manage to get through my life some how. But at 65, I am hitting the brick wall every day and wondering what am I doing it all for? I want to know which way to turn!
We are so glad Sen. Fetterman is back! WE need TRUTHER'S in Politics NOW! Blessings & love, to this brave man!
This is so compassionate and uplifting
On this Good Friday and Passover heed it's missives
Unfortunately I was unable to access the video from Canada. This is a remarkabe interview and I truly hope it will soften the still ubiquitous stigma of mental illness.
So proud of this guy. Real guts. Real courage in the face of the fire. I'm rooting for him and can't wait to see the better days ahead unfold for a real hero.
God bless Senator Fetterman and his beautiful family. May he serve long and well as the amazing public servant and human being that he is.
It's nice to have honor and heart in high places and little ol' Braddock, PA. Go Fetterman Family Go!
I saw the interview. It was nuanced and brought up an interesting thing about many mental health issues and why people slip through the cracks. He said he was never suicidal but “agnostic.” Indifferent. Many languish unseen in this never land.
It is also generational; growing up with a very depressed Mother I know. She went to work every day but came home and went to her bedroom and shut the door. A new catchword in mental health is “spectrum” which has helped many to gain insight to themselves and others.
Thank you for sharing this important story! I wish this was featured on 60 Minutes instead of elevating Marjorie Taylor Greene’s extremism.
Thanks for this story and the courage not to focus on he who is a bottomless pit of attentions hogging.
Senator Fetterman's story is a classic story of a man struggling to do the right thing, battling physical issues, made more complicated by strong enough to raise his hand and ask for the help he needed. He has the support of a loving family, a loyal staff and many constituents who voted for him when he was in the middle of the battle of his life. From where I sit, this is a classic Good Friday story, with all the detractors which will I hope and trust end in the Easter Sunday victory. We, in this country, have so much to learn not from his struggle, but the personal courage and integrity with which he dealt with every aspect of it. Our country could use more men and women of this caliber. I pray he makes a full recovery and teaches a Master Class in strength and integrity to those in such woeful need of this education. Shalom!
I am struck by this giant of a man being so open and honest about his illness. His courage and honesty are a boon to not only the Senate, but to all of us.