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More than 8% of Americans suffer from a major depressive disorder.
Celebrities that we admire have sought treatment for depression: Bruce Springsteen, Kristin Bell, Jim Carrey, and Michael Phelps, to name just a few.
A number of politicians, including Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., have spoken openly about their battles with depression.
Some of our greatest historical leaders suffered from depression: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Ulysses S. Grant, and Martin Luther King Jr., for example.
Depression also impacted the lives of some of the most accomplished figures in their fields: Sir Isaac Newton, Beethoven, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Mike Wallace, among others.
In short, depression affects extraordinary as well as ordinary people from all walks of life and all social, economic and ethnic groups.
Anyone who suffers from depression is painfully aware of how crippling it can be --and how difficult it is to reveal the condition or make the decision to seek help.
While we've come a long way since Tom Eagleton was dropped as vice presidential nominee because of his history of depression, we haven't come nearly far enough.
Sen. John Fetterman's announcement that he was seeking help for depression prompted public support, but disclosing mental health struggles remains challenging, especially in politics.
Depression is still seen as a sign of weakness that impacts judgment and decision-making -- and therefore a candidate's fitness for office.
But neither his stroke nor his depression means he can't function successfully as a pragmatic, empathetic and thoughtful senator and his struggle to overcome adversity gives him added perspective that will help him to better understand and represent all Pennsylvanians, many of whom deal with challenging obstacles every day.
Fetterman's depression is likely related to his recent stroke (about a third of all stroke survivors suffer depression), which has affected his ability to communicate and complicated his adjustment to Senate life.
With professional help, including therapy, medication and rest, it is likely that Senator Fetterman will be able to resume his Senate duties soon.
It's my hope that Fetterman be given the space and understanding he now needs. Depression or not, we need more decent, humble, and unpretentious leaders like him.
It's past time that we show grace and empathy toward Fetterman, and the 21 million or so other Americans who have suffered at least one major depressive episode in their lives.
Mental health experts hope that Fetterman's candor will serve as a powerful symbol, especially for men, who are less likely to seek treatment.
For those of us, present company included, who have had our own battles with major depressive disorder, let's also try and show some empathy for ourselves.
We didn't choose this disease, it's not our fault, and with self-care, professional treatment, and a little help from our family and friends, we can live with this thing of ours and lead rewarding and productive lives.
Dean Phillips is a retired Pennsylvania attorney following a career in private practice and serving Pennsylvania courts in several capacities. He holds citations from both the Pennsylvania House and Senate for his contributions to the judicial system. He formerly served as the first undergraduate elected to State College Borough Council, where he served as the first Chair of its Human Relations Committee. He resides in Ambler, Pa.