There is something refreshing about honesty in politics.
For months, New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. disappeared from public view while speculation filled the void. Rumors spread. Critics demanded answers. On Tuesday, he gave one.
He said he had been battling depression.
That admission shouldn’t be met with ridicule. It should be met with the same compassion we would extend to anyone facing a serious health challenge. Depression is an illness, not a character flaw, and acknowledging it publicly takes a degree of vulnerability that many people never reach.
If anything, Kean’s announcement may resonate with a lot of New Jersey residents.
Living in New Jersey alone is enough to drive any reasonable human being to the brink of depression and substance abuse. We deal with struggles that few others in America have to deal with on a daily basis.
Life in the Garden State can be stressful. Families face some of the nation’s highest property taxes. Auto insurance premiums and health insurance costs continue to strain household budgets. Daily commutes can mean hours in traffic, with tolls adding to the expense. Even a relaxing day at the beach often comes with parking fees, badge costs and crowded roads.
We are all reminded about how terrible and depressing our state can be each time we open our mailboxes.
The onslaught never ends.
Many residents also feel anxious about the direction of the state government. Some disagree with policies such as bail reform, the Immigrant Trust Directive, or what they see as increasing government involvement in business, education and personal decision-making. Others worry about crime, vehicle thefts, or high-profile crimes committed by people who were later found to be in the country unlawfully.
Parents remain divided over what topics are appropriate in public school classrooms and libraries, while debates over transgender athletes in girls’ sports continue to generate strong opinions across New Jersey.
Victims of violent crimes have plenty to be depressed or anxious about, but in New Jersey, it’s made worse when your attacker is set free before you’re even out of the hospital, thanks to bail reform. We get it.
Then there are those warehouses and high-density developments popping up everywhere. We can’t turn a corner without seeing our once beautiful and relaxing green spaces destroyed for the sake of a progressive agenda. Passing by our favorite childhood memory spots, we’re met with frustration.
Remember that swing over the lake by the pond? It’s now an Amazon warehouse.
What about that place where we used to ride our BMX bikes and hang out in the woods? 500 affordable housing apartments.
It can be depressing if you dwell on it.
These are just the issues we face before facing our own personal problems with family members, friends, neighbors and more.
It’s rough out there, even for the son of a former Governor and a U.S. Congressman who is expected to rise above and be stronger than the average New Jerseyan.
Whether someone agrees with those concerns or not, they are part of the political conversation for many New Jersey voters. Financial pressure, political polarization, and uncertainty about the future can all contribute to anxiety and depression.
That doesn’t mean New Jersey is uniquely miserable, nor does it mean everyone shares the same political views. But it does mean that many people are carrying burdens that aren’t always visible.
Kean’s disclosure is a reminder that mental illness can affect anyone, including elected officials who spend their careers projecting confidence and strength. Seeking treatment should never be viewed as a weakness.
New Jerseyans can vigorously debate taxes, public safety, education, and the state’s future while still recognizing that depression is a real medical condition deserving of empathy rather than mockery.
So to Congressman Kean: welcome back. We hope your recovery continues, and we expect the party of love and understanding to come down on you with no mercy over your experience and use it against you in any way they can.
After all, this IS New Jersey, and that’s how it goes.
And to everyone else quietly carrying anxiety, depression or emotional exhaustion—whether it’s because of finances, family struggles, politics, health, or simply the pressures of daily life—remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not surrender.
