U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo says she sought treatment for depression earlier this year after deciding to take the advice the first-term lawmaker, a physician, has offered her patients — to take care of their health and seek support when they need it.

This week, the Colorado Democrat said she went public with her experience to help bring mental illness out of the shadows, so that others might be more inclined to get help.

“Like many Americans, I struggle with depression,” Caraveo said in a statement, adding that her depression recently “became more severe,” encouraging her to pursue care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, near Washington, DC.

“I’m sharing this today because I believe we need to de-stigmatize mental illness — in Colorado and across our country,” Caraveo said. “It is my hope that the millions of people who struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety or any other mental health issues seek help.”

A former state lawmaker and pediatrician, Caraveo, 43, became the first Latina elected to Congress from Colorado two years ago when she won one of the closest U.S. House races in the country, in the newly created 8th Congressional District, the state’s lone toss-up seat. This year, the targeted district has already drawn millions in outside spending and is among a handful of pivotal races that could determine which party controls the chamber after the fall election.

Caraveo said this week in an interview with Colorado Public Radio’s Caitlyn Kim that she’s experienced depression since she was a teenager, but in the last year or two began to feel increasing symptoms, including “hopelessness and dark thoughts.” The congresswoman said she checked in to Walter Reed in April for several days and received treatment through the hospital’s neuropsychiatry unit, which provided a statement to CPR, saying Caraveo had responded well.

Noting that roughly one-third of Coloradans say they have symptoms of depression or anxiety, Caraveo said she decided to speak out because she didn’t “want anyone sending the message to my constituents that they should be ashamed of what is a medical diagnosis.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, tweeted encouragement for Caraveo, thanking the congresswoman for being open about the care she’d received.

“Your courage reminds people across our nation that they are not alone,” Harris said.

Caraveo’s fellow Democrats — and her Republican challenger — were equally supportive.

“I am glad to see that she is taking the steps necessary to care for herself, and I know that she will come out stronger on the other side,” said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, who described Caraveo as not only a colleague, but a friend.

“Mental health care is health care,” DeGette added. “Millions of Americans are impacted by mental health conditions, and they deserve access to the care they need to live happy and healthy lives. I admire Yadira’s strength and courage, as we all must work together to end the stigma around mental health care.”

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib praised Caraveo for talking about the treatment she’d undergone.

“If Rep. Caraveo’s announcement helps even just one person seek care that can help them address their own challenges, that’s a significant and important outcome,” Murib said.

State Rep. Gabe Evans, the Fort Lupton Republican hoping to unseat Caraveo in November, praised his opponent for being open about something that is often kept hidden.

“My heart goes out to her and I wish her only the best,” Evans said in a statement. “I’m glad to hear she is getting the treatment she needs. As someone who has witnessed and consoled several friends and colleagues who have faced depression privately, I’m glad to see her discuss her challenges publicly.”

In the roughly 50 years since Missouri Sen. Thomas Eagleton withdrew as the Democratic vice presidential nominee after it emerged that he’d been hospitalized for depression, public officials have begun to be more open about mental health issues. Most prominently, newly elected Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman announced early last year that he was checking himself into Walter Reed to treat the depression he’d been suffering after recovering from a stroke during the previous year’s campaign.

“I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works,” Fetterman said after being discharged. “This isn’t about politics — right now, there are people who are suffering with depression in red counties and blue counties. If you need help, please get help.”

According to recent estimates, some 21 million adult Americans — more than 8% of the adult population — experienced an episode of depression in the previous year, and the rates of depression have been rising. A 2023 Gallup survey found that 29% of U.S. adults reported diagnoses of depression during their lifetime — a roughly 50% jump in just eight years. Rates among women, young adults, and Black and Hispanic Americans were rising faster than the general population, the poll showed.

Shortly after Fetterman returned to the Senate, ABC News national political reporter Brittany Shepherd brought together other lawmakers who have been public about their mental health struggles for an extraordinary joint interview.

“I felt I had a profound obligation to confront the culture of silence and stigma and shame,” said New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, who said he’s been able to manage the depression that led to suicide attempts.

Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, an Iraq War veteran who has shared his experience with post-traumatic stress, said: “We have made tremendous progress dealing with the stigma, but we have so much further to go.”

Moulton added that the “single most impactful” thing he’s done in Congress was sponsoring legislation to create the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline — a free, confidential national network of local crisis centers, available to take calls or texts around the clock.

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, who took to the Senate floor to describe her history of depressive bouts, said she wanted to spread the word about mental health options.

“My message is, your brain can get help, you can heal,” she said. “I hope that sharing our stories will help people to not be so hard on themselves and realize that asking for help is a sign of health, it’s not a sign of weakness.”

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