GOP Rep. Tom Kean announces depression diagnosis after mysterious monthslong absence from Congress

CNN

By Sarah Ferris, CNN

(CNN) — Republican Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey said Tuesday that he experienced severe depression that required a long-term stay in the hospital, keeping him away from Washington more than 100 days.

Kean announced his previously undisclosed health condition in highly anticipated floor remarks Tuesday, acknowledging it was “not an easy speech to give” but that he felt he owed his constituents and colleagues an explanation after months of keeping them in the dark.

Speaking to a near-empty House chamber on Tuesday, Kean offered the first account of where he had been during the last several months. It began with the diagnosis of depression early this spring — and required months of treatment.

“Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital,” Kean said. “I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression.”

“The doctors recommended that I remain in the hospital to address my illness,” Kean added, noting that he was initially hesitant to remain hospitalized — but that he ultimately chose to stay. During that recovery, Kean’s office had previously promised he’d return in a few weeks, but that timeline came and went.

Kean said Tuesday that he truly believed he could return quickly — but that he instead learned: “There is no timeline for healing. There is no timeline for recovery, only the work of getting better one day at a time.”

Kean had the support from his own GOP leader: Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier Tuesday that he encouraged Kean to make his return to Washington and to be transparent about what he had been facing. Johnson stressed that the public would sympathize with him.

“It’s not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he’s been fighting, and I think people resonate with it. I think he’ll get a lot of empathy, because it’s something that’s very, very common. So, I encouraged him to come back,” Johnson told reporters.

Speaking from the floor, Kean said he was now ready to be back, feeling “healthier, stronger and ready to return to the work that I love.” And he added that he was now clear-eyed about the millions of people facing depression who don’t receive the kind of help he did.

“Many do so quietly. Many do so alone. Many do so with a heavy burden that the rest of us never see. And to them, I would say asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength,” Kean said.

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This story has been updated with additional information.