A few weeks ago, newly elected Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania checked himself into Walter Reed Medical Center because of depression. He had struggled with depression on and off most of his adult life, but his depression flared up recently (Full disclosure, I went to the hospital when I was a teenager for anxiety). Fetterman suffered a stroke last year on the campaign trail, which doctors believed probably exacerbated the depression.

The situation with Fetterman has been compared with what happened over 50 years ago when another politician addressed his battle with mental health. In 1972, Missouri Senator Thomas Eagleton was selected to be George McGovern’s running mate as Vice President. Soon afterwards, news leaked out that Eagleton suffered from depression and received electroshock therapy several years beforehand. It became a scandal, and Eagleton was dropped from the ticket.

Unlike Eagleton in 1972, John Fetterman disclosed himself that he suffered depression. The other big difference was that far from other colleagues condemning him, they supported him. His Democratic colleagues expressed how proud they were of him for disclosing his depression publicly, and seeking help, sharing their own stories about dealing with mental health. Crucially, several Republicans put their partisanship aside and wished Fetterman well. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama brought a cake to his office, John Thune of South Dakota expressed support for him, and Ted Cruz tweeted his prayers, as well as Rep. Scott Perry.

I know that Senator Cruz and Rep Perry are unlikely politicians to highlight in this edition of Politicians Doing Good Things, due to their willingness to overturn an election. Regardless though, due to the toxic partisanship and nasty atmosphere in Washington, it is important to highlight and commend politicians showing basic decency.

The fact that Fetterman’s colleagues are as supportive as they are is a major step forward in destigmatizing mental health issues. It will certainly inspire an ordinary person struggling with some mental health crisis to see a powerful figure like Fetterman publicly addressing his issues.Have any of you struggled with depression or some other mental health issues? Comment below.