'Dark place': Staffers share trauma of watching ex-lawmaker's self harm efforts

Staffers for former Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) say they were mistreated and "traumatized" as they witnessed her make multiple attempts on her own life as she struggled with severe mental health issues, reported The Colorado Sun on Thursday.

Caraveo's behavior while serving in Congress and running for re-election, according to the report, alarmed staffers so much that they "proposed a safety plan requesting that sharp objects be removed from the Colorado Democrat’s offices. They also wanted assurances that subordinates not be responsible for talking her through suicidal thoughts' or 'keeping her company during a crisis.'"

The plan was reportedly rejected, with staffers told either to commit to supporting Caraveo through her mental health struggles or to resign within a day.

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Staffers said they twice witnessed Caraveo attempting suicide. The first happened last February, "when she sent concerning messages to aides who rushed to her Thornton home and found that she had taken 19 sleeping pills and was drinking alcohol, leading to an emergency response and hospitalization."

The second occasion was two months after that, when "Caraveo showed up to an event at her congressional office in Northglenn after ingesting a large quantity of a powerful sedative and had to be rushed to a hospital. Aides called 911 and led police and firefighters to the congresswoman."

The report also alleges widespread mistreatment of staffers, such that her office experienced constant turnover. Aides said she frequently snapped at them, or blamed them for cancelations of events that were due to her own mental health struggles — and further said she never apologized.

Caraveo, who has previously acknowledged her battle with depression and being treated for mental health at Walter Reed Hospital, issued a written statement in response to the report.

“Depression is a chronic illness that unlike many others has terrible effects on the family, friends and coworkers of the affected individual,” she said. “As I’ve been open about, I was in a dark place when I was suffering from depression and I know the disease led me to treat my friends, family and my staff in ways that I regret. I’m deeply sorry.”

Caraveo, who worked as a pediatrician prior to entering politics, was first elected in 2022 to Colorado's newly-drawn 8th Congressional District, which includes Greeley and the northern suburbs of Denver. She was ousted in 2024 by Republican Gabe Evans. She is currently mounting a campaign to reclaim her office next year.