New Jersey Representative Tom Kean Jr. returned to the US House on Tuesday for the first time in nearly four months, having last voted in March. During a speech on the House floor, the Republican congressman revealed that he had been absent while dealing with depression.
Kean explained that he initially entered the hospital several months ago for testing due to health concerns. Although he did not believe this would result in a long-term stay, he was given a diagnosis of depression and remained at the hospital for treatment under the recommendations of his doctors.
Addressing the House, Kean stated that it is difficult to fully understand how powerful the illness can be. He noted that, as the over 48 million of his fellow Americans being treated for this illness have discovered, there is no timeline for healing.
The congressman's absence had occurred without explanation for his constituents in a competitive district during the midterm elections.