SF Supervisor Jackie Fielder to return after mental health leave; reflects on recovery in video post

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder will return to City Hall next week after taking a three-month leave of absence, saying she stepped away from the job because her mental health demanded it.

In an emotional video posted to social media, Fielder reflected on her recovery and thanked supporters who reached out during one of the most difficult periods of her life.

"At the end of the day, I am a human being," Fielder said through tears.

The supervisor said her leave gave her time to focus on healing and gain a new perspective on the demands of public service.

"This leave, and even my whole adult life, has been an entire journey on mental health," Fielder said. "And I know I'm not the only one who struggles with it."

Fielder was hospitalized this spring following what was described as an acute personal crisis.

RESOURCES: Get help with mental health issues

According to the San Francisco Chronicle and Mission Local, at the time indicated she had considered resigning from the Board of Supervisors.

Her absence since left District 9 without direct representation at City Hall since late March.

In the video, Fielder described the intense pressure she felt after launching her campaign for supervisor and taking office. "I was going 100 miles an hour since early 2023, when I started the campaign for supervisor, and being a grassroots candidate is a lot of elbow grease," she said.

"So I'm extremely grateful that I got to take this medical leave that doesn't really exist for this kind of role."

She added that her time away helped her realize she was carrying a burden that did not belong to her alone.

"I've often felt like the weight of this district and city is on my shoulders, and I, through this leave, have had the silver lining of understanding that it never has."

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Mental health professionals say public figures speaking openly about mental health challenges can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support.

"Her doing so actually broadens the conversation," said Dr. Eric Bender, a San Francisco psychiatrist and therapist. "It really does destigmatize this a bit, lets people talk about it more, not be so scared of it."

Bender said research suggests that when prominent people publicly discuss their mental health treatment, it can motivate others to take action.

"Every time someone of some kind of stature, a public figure, comes out and says they're going to pursue treatment for mental health, there's some research suggesting it encourages the public to take action to really seek treatment for their own issues," he said.

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Bender also emphasized that returning to work after a mental health leave often requires setting healthier boundaries.

"Taking leave does not mean someone is weak. It doesn't mean someone is lazy. It's not a vacation. It's a really bold thing to do," he said.

Fielder is scheduled to return to work Monday.