Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. Opens Up About Battle with Depression
In a heartfelt address on the House floor, New Jersey Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. explained his four-month absence from Congress, revealing that he had been hospitalized due to depression.
On Tuesday, Kean shared with colleagues that he had recently received a diagnosis of depression, which followed a stay in the hospital for unspecified health reasons. He noted that the road to recovery has been longer than he anticipated.
“I am a private person by nature…talking about myself has never come naturally. But I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey’s 7th District, to my colleagues in this chamber, and to the American people for my absence,” he stated from the podium.
“I was given the diagnosis of depression. It is physical, it is emotional, and until you’ve experienced it yourself, it is difficult to fully grasp how powerful this illness can be.”
The 57-year-old representative missed over 140 votes while recovering, leading to a complete absence rate, as reported by GovTrack.
“I began to understand not only my diagnosis, but how long depression had been impacting my life,” he continued. “When people hear the word depression, many think it simply refers to feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that.”
“When I first informed the public that I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to comprehend what was happening myself,” he reflected on the secrecy surrounding his absence.
Although he had initial hesitations about his doctors’ advice to remain in the hospital, he expressed gratitude for ultimately following it.
“When I said I hoped to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it. Those were the best estimates from my doctor. But as the more than 48 million Americans dealing with this illness have come to learn, there’s really no set timeline for healing. It’s about getting better each day,” he shared.
“Today, I am grateful that I listened to my doctors…I am grateful that I accepted help. Because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love.”
While Kean’s diagnosis was only made public recently, it was known among colleagues on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who acknowledged earlier this month, “I do know what his health issue is, but he’s asked me not to disclose that, and I’m going to honor that.”
Johnson added that Kean’s absence was “not a scandalous thing at all,” and noted, “People deal with health issues. Maybe that’s a news flash for you, but even members of Congress get sick as well.”
During his time away, Kean secured the Republican nomination for a third term representing New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, facing no opposition in the primary. He is set to compete against Rebecca Bennett, a Democrat, in the upcoming November election.
