"Senator Fetterman's Return to Senate Highlights Changing Attitudes Towards Mental Health"
Washington politicians are increasingly open about their struggles with mental health, with policymakers leaning into mental health as a key policy priority. The shift can be attributed to advocacy work from organizations focused on mental health education, the media talking about mental health more, and the Covid pandemic exacerbating the crisis. President Joe Biden has also made mental health a priority, with his latest budget requesting $139 million for research and another $16.6 billion to increase mental health care programs in the Veterans Affairs Medical Care program. However, a stigma still exists, and individuals still take risks when they speak out.