Minneapolis lawmaker announces mental health leave over city crime
A Minneapolis lawmaker announced she would be taking an immediate leave of absence as the struggling city has left her mental health dwindling.
City Council Member Aisha Chughtai, 28, told her constituents on Monday that she would be absent for the next month during a 'rigorous outpatient program for clinical depression and anxiety.'
Strikingly, Chughtai marks the third Minneapolis lawmaker to announce similar struggles with mental health in the last week, including Ward 12's Aurin Chowdhury.
In a statement, the south Minneapolis Ward 10 representative said the previous year 'brought unique challenges that have affected every person in our communities.'
Chughtai went on to note a 'high-stakes' election as well as mass shootings and a federal occupation.
'Like 23 percent of American adults, I also work every day to manage my mental health. I have ignored my own need for more help for too long,' the lawmaker wrote.
'I love representing the people of this Ward. It’s the greatest honor of my life. And that’s why I feel obligated to do so to the best of my abilities,' she continued.
'Because of the current state of my mental health, I fear falling short of that obligation. That’s why I’m briefly stepping back.'
Chughtai made history in Minneapolis after she was elected in 2021, marking the council's first Muslim woman and the youngest person ever appointed.
City Council Member Aisha Chughtai, 28, told her constituents on Monday that she would be absent for the next month during a 'rigorous outpatient program for clinical depression and anxiety'
Chughtai represents neighborhoods within Ward 10, including Whittier, Lowry Hill East, East Bde Maka Ska, South Uptown and East Harriet
She said she would miss one council meeting on July 16 during her leave, and in her absence her office is set to remain open, the outlet reported.
'I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city,' she said of her return.
'Everyone deserves to feel that they have the space, resources, and support to care for their own basic health, and that includes mental health.
'I want to thank everyone who has shown me grace and support across my tenure on the Council, including my colleagues. I wanted to be honest, and fully transparent, with all of you about my absence, because you deserve nothing less.
'I know that when I return, I’ll be back stronger, ready to form deeper partnerships, and ready to fight even harder for our neighbors.'
Chughtai represents neighborhoods within Ward 10, including Whittier, Lowry Hill East, East Bde Maka Ska, South Uptown and East Harriet.
The lawmaker received many messages of support from constituents, and was also encouraged by colleagues and friends.
Minneapolis Ward 2 Representative Robin Wonsley, 34, said Chughtai 'works tirelessly serving her constituents, keeping our neighbors safe and fighting for our values.'
Chughtai marks the third recent Minneapolis lawmaker to take a step back in the last week, including Ward 12's Aurin Chowdhury
Minneapolis Ward 2 Representative Robin Wonsley, 34, said Chughtai 'works tirelessly serving her constituents, keeping our neighbors safe and fighting for our values'
'I'm proud of my colleague and friend for taking a step away to care for her mental health,' Wonsley wrote on social media.
'Aisha embodies what leadership looks like. Too many people struggle with their mental health in silence. I hope Aisha's courage helps someone else along the way.'
She concluded her supportive message by sending Chughtai 'best wishes during her leave,' and added: 'I look forward to continuing to fight alongside her for a more equitable Minneapolis when she returns.'
Hennepin County Commissioner of District 2 Irene Fernando also bolstered her colleague and said residents of the city have 'endured and persevered through so much' in the last year.
'Just as we care for our neighbors, we must prioritize care for ourselves,' Fernando said.
'Councilmember Aisha Chughtai is a dedicated public servant and dear friend. She's governed with compassion, care, and courage for the people. What Aisha’s doing takes courage: she shared her truth of needing time to care for mental health - and I support her wholeheartedly.'
Fernando added that 'everyone deserves the space, resources and support to care for their health,' and concluded her message: 'We love you, Aisha, go take care of yourself - see you soon.'
Ward 9's Jason Chavez thanked Chughtai for her 'bravery in normalizing mental health support' in a message of support on social media, and wrote: 'We love you and can't wait to keep fighting the good fight with you for years to come.'
Ward 12 Representative Aurin Chowdhury, seen with Chughtai, said she was proud of her colleagues announcement following her own last week, where she revealed her struggle with PTSD and acute stress disorder
Chowdhury, 29, said she was proud of her colleague's announcement following her own last week, where she revealed her struggle with PTSD and acute stress disorder.
'Last week, I shared on my newsletter the diagnosis I received in the past months for PTSD and acute stress disorder - as a result of the impact of being frontline to all that has transpired from the federal occupation by ICE on our city, gun violence, and loss,' Chowdhury wrote.
'Public service is something we love, and the impacts unfortunately can come at a personal cost. I'm on my own healing journey and I thank my loved ones, community, and constituents who have been a great support.'
'There are many lessons from this season of life, but one that has remained at the front of my mind is that life is too short, and we deserve to live fully and be happy. It is done in responsibility to our constituents and frankly we owe it to ourselves,' Chowdury wrote.
'It is okay to make the effort to create that for oneself; it is also what makes the hard work of making a better world possible. Healing isn't linear; it can be painful, and we are each worthy of it.'
Another former employee of the Minneapolis council offices revealed how, eight years ago, she took a similar leave of absence 'only to be let go just a couple weeks later.'
'I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city,' Chughtai said of her return
Chughtai made history in Minneapolis after she was elected in 2021, making the council's first Muslim woman and the youngest person ever appointed
'I was afraid that would happen because I was encouraged to resign over taking a leave for my health and I contacted an attorney prior. Unfortunately once it actually happened I was so rushed to figure out new income and get healthcare for my ongoing mental health treatment that I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth for detailing everything for the lawsuit, and it’s one of my biggest regrets,' Laura Dorle wrote on social media.
Dorle said she commends Chughtai for her 'openness about a very difficult experience that far too many people feel forced to stay silent.'
Chughtai also received plenty of support from her constituents on social media.
'We all need support to live our best lives. As someone who deals with their own mental health often, I want to thank you for being so open about something often kept private,' one user wrote.
'Thank you for being open and honest with us. You are showing people that these struggles are real and pervasive. We shouldn't suffer in silence with our mental health struggles,' another said. 'Take the time you need for yourself to get better. You've done so much for the city and the movement.'
'I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for you, both for being so open and so dedicated to your work for the people of Minneapolis,' a third wrote.
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Another comment read: 'Good for you! I feel this so much. I recently hit that wall hard. I have hit it many times before but oh my... I finally had to say out loud.. "I just can't." So weird and freeing to say it out loud. I also am doing what I need to do to get back... "I can." The very best of wishes to your mental health.'
The Daily Mail reached out to the Minneapolis City Council and Chughtai for comment.
