Fetterman hospitalized to treat clinical depression

Sen. John Fetterman checked himself into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday night to receive inpatient care for clinical depression, his chief of staff Adam Jentleson said Thursday.

The first-term Democratic senator has experienced depression throughout his life, but “it only became severe in recent weeks,” Jentleson said in a statement.

“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”

Fetterman is receiving care on a voluntary basis and went to the hospital after evaluation from Brian Monahan, attending physician of the U.S. Congress, according to the statement.

While it’s the Pennsylvania senator’s first public admission to mental health treatment, his other health challenges became a frequent subject during his campaign. He suffered a significant stroke during his bid for the Senate, which forced him off the campaign trail for several months and affected his auditory processing.

More recently, Fetterman spent several nights in the hospital for what his office described as lightheadedness. Testing during that episode showed no evidence of any new stroke or seizure, his office said later.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, commended Fetterman for seeking help and expressed confidence that, with care, he’d be able to continue serving his term.