Rep. Tom Kean reveals depression diagnosis. Here's what he didn't say

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. revealed that his four-month-long absence from Congress was due to depression, prompting conversations about the mental health disorder that many Americans face.

In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives on June 30, the Republican lawmaker from New Jersey said he was hospitalized and diagnosed several months ago. He said his doctors recommended that he remain hospitalized and explained that it would be the "fastest way to recover."

"I was hesitant. I didn't think that I had time for it," he said. "Like many people, I believed that I could simply push through ... but I agreed to follow my doctors' recommendations."

Kean's comments helped to raise awareness of the mental health challenge, explaining that it's so much more than simply "feeling sad."

What is depression like?

"It's physical, it's emotional," Kean said in his five-minute address. "Until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be."

Experts agree that depression doesn’t just affect mood but also functioning.

“Getting out of bed can feel overwhelming. Tasks that once felt simple require tremendous effort. Work performance may decline. Relationships often suffer as people withdraw or feel emotionally numb. Energy drops, motivation fades and sleep can become irregular," Jimmy Noorlander, a licensed clinical social worker at Deseret Counseling in Utah, previously told USA TODAY. Depression can also show up physically, with headaches, digestive issues or chronic pain without a clear medical cause.

Asking for help is 'a strength'

Kean also normalized the idea of getting diagnosed and treated.

"Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a strength," he said, adding: "There is no timeline for healing, there is no timeline for recovery. Only the work of getting better one day at a time."

Evidence-based treatments for depression typically include psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.

“Depression is common and treatable, and recovery is possible,” Noorlander said.

How many Americans have depression?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, about 13.1% of adolescents and adults ages 12 and older experience it.

Depression is an illness that can impact anyone, regardless of age, race, cultural background, education or income, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

What causes depression?

Depression does not stem from a single cause but instead develops from a complex interaction of biological, genetic, psychological and environmental factors.

Research also suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms.

Depression and disparities in care

Kean said he was grateful for the "exceptional care that I received from doctors, nurses and support staff." He was also able to take months away from his taxpayer-funded job. Not everyone has access to the same mental health support.

In a 2022 survey of 1,000 therapy patients by the health and wellness site Verywell Mind, a third of patients said they had canceled mental health care sessions because of excessive out-of-pocket costs, which averaged $178 a month. Two in five said they had cut down on sessions to save money.

Contributing: Daryl Austin and Hannah Yasharoff