Following a nearly four-month absence from Congress, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) announced he was being treated for depression during a floor speech on Tuesday.
His comments come after weeks of speculation over why he was missing votes, with his office only providing vague answers that he was dealing with a medical issue and asserting he would give his reasoning upon his return.
Kean stated that he is a "private person by nature," but felt he needed to explain why he was receiving treatment.
"Talking about myself has never come naturally, but I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey's seventh district, to my colleagues in this chamber, and to the American people, for my absence," he said. "Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression."
The New Jersey Republican stated that he initially believed he would return "in a matter of weeks" following doctors' estimates but added that "there is no timeline for healing, there is no timeline for recovery."
"Now, when people hear the word depression, many people simply think it means feeling sad, but depression is so much more than that. It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be. The doctors recommended that I remain in the hospital to address my illness," he continued.
Kean said he has reservations about the timeline given the demands of his job and family life but followed the advice of medical professionals.
"They explained to me that this would be the fastest way to recovery, and to be honest, I was hesitant. I didn't think that I had time for it. I had responsibilities to my family, I had responsibilities to my constituents, I had responsibilities to this institution, and like many people, I believed that I could simply push through, but I agreed to follow my doctor's recommendations," he said. "Again, not believing that this would result in a long-term stay, I began to understand not only my diagnosis, but how long depression had been affecting my life. When I first informed the public that I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself."
Kean said he has long been an advocate for mental health care, dating back to his time in the state house, and hopes that speaking out about his struggles will encourage others to seek care.
"This experience has given me a deeper appreciation for the millions of Americans who face these challenges each and every day. Many do so quietly, many do so alone, many do so while carrying burdens that the rest of us never see, and to them I would say asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength," he continued.
"To my constituents, thank you. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for your prayers, and thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you. I also want to thank my staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure that our office continued serving constituents every day during my absence, and most importantly, I want to thank my family, whose love, whose support, and whose faith carried me through some very difficult days."
This is not a partisan issue.
Kean — who last voted on March 5 — came under fire for the lack of transparency over why he was missing, with several of his colleagues raising questions about why he was gone, and some arguing his constituents deserved answers about the lack of representation while he was out.
The New Jersey Republican is not the first lawmaker to seek treatment for mental health care. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) — who was recovering from a stroke — announced in 2023 that he was checking himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he received treatment for six weeks while in Congress to treat severe depression.
