There should be nothing in the post that follows that should be construed as a personal attack on Representative Tom Kean, Jr. for having depression, being diagnosed as having depression, being hospitalized for depression, getting treatment for depression or acknowledging his depression on the floor of the House. It is to Kean’s credit that he got treatment and announced it upon his return. His announcement will be beneficial for all Americans. There are other issues to discuss.

Just in case you aren’t aware of the story, here is the Daily Wire short version:

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) revealed Tuesday that the undisclosed medical condition that kept him away from Congress for nearly four months was depression, ending months of speculation about one of the House GOP’s most closely watched absences.

Returning to the House floor for the first time since early March, Kean disclosed that he was hospitalized after experiencing health concerns and was ultimately diagnosed with depression, a condition he described as far more debilitating than many people realize.

“Many people think it is feeling sad. It is so much more than that,” Kean told colleagues. “It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.”

About 19% of adults in the United States have had depression which can flow from anxiety, hormones, pregnancy, diabetes, thyroid diseases and auto-immune diseases. Most people in the U.S. have known and loved someone who has had depression. Maybe Kean dismissed depression until he was diagnosed, but the rest of us have not.

We are all grateful that Tom Kean is getting treatment. Not all treatments work or work the first time. Some people’s depression can be very stubborn to treat. That’s why we have ended up being so supportive of Senator John Fetterman.

Tom Kean and anyone else struggling with depression and/or other mental health issues deserve our support.

We would appreciate it if we were informed sooner. We're a forgiving group. Transparency is appreciated. Most of us think John Fetterman is fantastic, too @CongressmanKean https://t.co/4CXbpQCNWM pic.twitter.com/805N7D9kwa

— Kristi L. Talmadge (@KristiTalmadge) June 30, 2026

Senator Fetterman had struggled with depression years before his stroke. After the stroke, the depression became debilitating and he entered Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six weeks treatment. Fetterman was very transparent all along. We had a lot of questions for both the Senator and his wife Gisele. Still, depression will often follow a stroke.

We were not surprised that Fetterman and his family were so transparent. Tom Kean seemed a little self-absorbed and selfish. More from the Daily Wire:

The announcement comes after Kean missed more than 100 House votes and largely disappeared from public view, creating headaches for House Republican leadership as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) attempted to navigate the chamber’s razor-thin majority.

Kean last cast a vote on March 5 before abruptly stepping away from Congress. His office initially described the situation only as a “personal medical issue,” repeatedly declining to elaborate while assuring constituents the congressman expected to make a full recovery.

Earlier this month, Kean’s political adviser, Harrison Neely, announced the congressman would return to Washington on June 30 and promised he would be “fully transparent” about his condition.

On Tuesday, Kean explained that he initially entered the hospital for medical testing before receiving his diagnosis. “I was given the diagnosis of depression,” he said. Kean said doctors advised him to remain hospitalized because it offered the quickest path to recovery. “I was hesitant,” he said. “I didn’t think I had time for it.”

The second-term Republican acknowledged that when he previously told constituents he expected to return within weeks, he believed that timeline was accurate. “But as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing,” Kean said. “Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love.” Kean characterized himself as “a private person by nature,” explaining why he chose not to disclose his diagnosis sooner.

He also encouraged others struggling with mental illness to seek treatment. “Asking for help is not a weakness,” he said. “It is a strength.” Despite revealing the reason for his prolonged absence, Kean left Capitol Hill immediately after delivering his remarks without answering reporters’ questions, leaving several unresolved what initially prompted his hospitalization.

Asking for help is a strength. One doesn’t have to answer reporters’ questions, but one should at least listen to them. Kean’s speech was needed and well done. He is odd in that politicians usually love to talk about themselves. Depression is much more than feeling sad. It was a blessing that Kean stayed in the hospital. Depression is very dangerous. Here is his statement:

Walking through the Capitol, he refused to answer questions.

Long before his monthslong, mysterious absence, Rep. Tom Kean routinely ducked questions from reporters covering New Jersey's delegation, as @benhulac diligently chronicled https://t.co/rsk61bGHcO

— Cristiano Lima-Strong (@viaCristiano) June 30, 2026

Depression is a dangerous illness. Perhaps Tom Kean should resign and deal with everything. Except any replacement would be a Democrat because the Governor Mikie Sherrill is a Democrat. Ick.

Congratulations to Kean on getting and accepting help.

Featured Image: Office of Congressman Tom Kean/Wikimedia Commons.org/cropped/Public Domain