John Fetterman’s treatment for mental health | Morning Newsletter
And Northeast High’s first Afro Day
The Morning Newsletter
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Welcome to the start of a new week. It looks like a slight chance of of showers but then sunny most of the day. Temps will reach the low 70s.
It’s a big week for John Fetterman.
He’s set to return to the U.S. Senate today after spending 44 days hospitalized to treat an episode of severe depression. That length of time is about four times longer than the typical stay for a person admitted for the first time to treat depression.
Our lead story analyzes state data to compare his treatment to the average Pennsylvanian.
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— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Most people don’t get the extensive length of treatment that John Fetterman was able to receive.
Factors that contribute to length of stay include severity of symptoms, other medical issues, or insurance.
But Fetterman is a celebrity patient which often leads to special care and privileges.
Notable quote: “It shouldn’t be something that only a senator may get,” a senior Fetterman aide said. “It shouldn’t be something that is a luxury, it should become the norm and that’s something he’s going to fight for.”
The Inquirer analyzed state data on all 42,000 hospital stays for depression in 2021, the most recent year available.
How hospital stays usually play out in Pennsylvania:
The average hospital admission is 10 days. Patients who had previous episodes, children under 18, and adults 60 and older stay slightly longer, for 13 days. Fetterman stayed for about six weeks.
Young adults ages 18 to 39 are the most likely to be admitted for depression — accounting for 40% of hospital admissions statewide. Men in their 50s, like Fetterman, represented about 6% of admissions.
Just like Fetterman, 90% of patients return home after discharge. The end of a hospital stay is often followed by therapy or medication.
Continue reading to learn more about what the average experience to seek treatment is like.
When you’re done, we have a complete timeline of Fetterman’s health journey, from his stroke to his hospitalization for depression.
What you should know today
Unionized warehouse workers, drivers, and sales staff at the Philly region’s largest Coca-Cola distributor voted to strike.
With less than a month to go, the Philly mayor’s race is in the home stretch with five contenders and millions to be spent.
A new disease is killing beech trees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The search continued Sunday for the person who shot two women on the campus of Lincoln University late Saturday night.
Philadelphians are more college-educated than ever, but other challenges persist.
A Philadelphia woman went mega-viral by mocking gross TikTok cooking videos but, like many Black creators, her fame hasn’t been profitable.
We have your guide to Philly’s 2023 Democratic primary for mayor, City Council, and more.
Spurred by a conversation in a teacher’s African American history class, two high school students dreamed up Northeast High School’s first Afro Day.
Several dozen students simply wore their hair as is, and met up for a photo to commemorate it. They traded stories of times they felt judged, like when their families questioned their decision to forgo chemicals and go natural or when someone came up and touched their hair without permission.
Notable quote: “You have to learn to love your hair, because if you don’t, who will? I used to be so insecure about my ‘fro. But now, I got too much confidence — y’all can’t stop me,” Amia Harris, 16, said laughing.
The day was about hair, but also power, community, and love.
Personal note: I wish I had their outlook when I was in high school. I didn’t get to this level of acceptance until well into adulthood. I deeply respect this proclamation of self-love.
Continue reading to hear from the two high schoolers who created the homegrown holiday.
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
What is the name of the sport formerly known as quidditch?
A) Quadball
B) Triball
C) Qualler
D) Trick question. There isn’t a new name
What we’re...
📰 Reading: The sixth in a series of profiles about the top candidates for mayor. This installment features Allan Domb.
📺 Watching: Last night’s Love is Blind reunion special. But it was a struggle. There was a lot of technical difficulties.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: coffee ☕
BLAME COLO
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Email us if you know the answer. Cheers to Carrie Lawlor, who correctly guessed Sunday’s answer: Down the Shore.
Photo of the day
Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. I’m beginning the day with Trina’s Tiny Desk Concert on repeat. I’ll catch you tomorrow ☀️.