Calif. secretary of state fighting 'debilitating' depression, living in trailer park

[Newsjock]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Two months before Californians go to the polls to choose a governor, the state's top elections official tearfully acknowledged Friday that she has been consumed by a "debilitating" depression that has often kept her away from the office.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen, who oversees statewide voting, told The Times that she has a history of depression and has moved out of the two-story country home she owns with her husband. She now resides in a trailer park on the outskirts of Sacramento.

"I have suffered from depression since I was in college, and I am having a more difficult episode right now," Bowen, 58, said in an interview. "It's something we haven't talked about because there is such a stigma."

... Her trailer at Arden Acres has cracked windowsills, and some windows have cardboard behind the glass to block the sun. Behind it is a storage yard with a giant, rusting shipping container pressed against the other side of the fence. On Thursday, her state-issued Buick was parked outside, the back seats and front passenger seat full of cardboard boxes brimming with clothing and household goods.

Read more: http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-81286629/

[SunSeeker]

1. Wow. The article says she owns a bunch of houses. Yet she lives in a dilapidated trailer.

Sounds like she's suffering from a lot more than depression.

[Skittles]

3. she needs help

I hope she gets it

[elleng]

2. Oh NO!

She's been such a fighter!

[RandySF]

4. This is sad indeed.

Debra Bowen is the persinfication of public integrity. All of her elections have run smoothly and professionally. I hope she can find a doctor who can give her the help she needs.

[daredtowork]

5. If she doesn't have family to rescue her

perhaps her plight can bring a higher profile to some of the issues I've been trying to expose. If a high State official can't get basic services, can't get the basic necessities for survival...gets punished for even trying to get out of her situation...well perhaps State policymakers will start paying attention.

But anyone at the Secretary of State level probably has plenty of family and friends to pull her out before she actually gets to that level. It may look like she has hit rock bottom if she's living in a trailer, but she hasn't until she has no other resources to fall back on and gets entangled in "the system".

[Le Taz Hot]

6. Good for her for talking about it publically.

She wasn't required to do so but this country needs to rid itself if the stigma attached to mental illness. She's been a wonderful public servant and, once her condition is under control, she should be allowed to continue that public service if she chooses to do so.

[codeseo]

7. She is a Rockstar

I support her no matter and am sure she will fight back stronger.

[gopiscrap]

8. Welcome to DU!