U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo spoke candidly about her mental health challenges during a panel discussion on mental health and addiction on Thursday evening.
This was Caraveo’s first public appearance since a May 1 report by The Colorado Sun revealed serious accusations from former staffers about a toxic work environment during her recent election campaign.
According to the article, multiple staff members felt their safety was at risk and proposed measures, including a safety plan that involved removing sharp objects from her offices.
The timing of the report coincided with Caraveo’s announcement that she would be running for reelection in the 8th Congressional District.
Caraveo dismissed the article as “salacious,” expressing her disagreement with certain aspects, particularly regarding the allegations about the safety plan, but did not delve into specifics.
During the panel, she reflected on how she neglected her mental health for decades, stating that she reached a breaking point while serving in Congress, which she described as one of the most demanding jobs in the nation.
Caraveo poignantly recounted her experiences with suicidal thoughts, comparing the feeling to drowning and sharing how her struggles affected those who tried to help her.
She advocated for greater understanding of mental health issues and emphasized the importance of recognizing when someone is in distress.
“Nobody recognized that in me, it was not until I tried to kill myself that the people were like, ‘Whoa, you’re really depressed,’” she admitted.
The panel discussion was organized by The Back From Broken Foundation, founded by former Colorado Public Radio journalist Vic Vela, who has produced a podcast series focusing on addiction and recovery.
The report from The Sun detailed Caraveo’s turbulent time in office and highlighted the high turnover among her staff, with statistics showing she had one of the highest rates of staff turnover in Congress.
Former aides who spoke anonymously expressed feelings of being mistreated and exploited, particularly during times when Caraveo faced her own mental health crises, including two suicide attempts last year.
Acknowledging the impact of her struggles on her staff, Caraveo noted, “It affects other people, and so if we’re going to truly be supportive of mental health, we have to realize that when you’re in a really bad spot, you’re not going to act normally.
It’s not going to be pleasant for people, but that’s part of actually being supportive of people with mental health.”
Following her narrow loss to Republican Gabe Evans in the November election, where she lost by about 2,500 votes, Caraveo faced pressure from Democratic leaders urging her not to pursue reelection.
The election had significant financial implications, with approximately $40 million spent on the campaign, contributing to the GOP’s narrow majority in the U.S. House.
Currently, Caraveo is competing with at least four other Democrats, including state representatives and prominent political figures, to reclaim her seat from Evans in 2026.
However, she expressed confidence in her ability to tackle the political challenges ahead, stating, “I’m in the best state in terms of my mental health that I’ve been since high school, probably.
I’m definitely ready for this.
If I could do it when I was struggling with depression and anxiety, who knows now?”
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