HOUSTON — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Monday she will be on leave to seek inpatient care for clinical depression.

According to a letter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the 32-year-old was diagnosed with clinical depression last month, and checked herself into an out-of-state treatment facility to receive inpatient care.

“I am writing to share with you that I am one of the over 21 million American adults that is suffering from clinical depression…,” the judge wrote. “My experience has been difficult, but I am taking it as an opportunity to be open about my own struggle, my own challenges, and to encourage others, who need help, to seek treatment.”

Hidalgo was first elected as Harris County judge in 2018. She won reelection in 2022. According to the Harris County website, she is the first woman to be elected County Judge and only the second to be elected to the Commissioners Court. A Colombian immigrant who came to the U.S. in 2005, Hidalgo has governed as a progressive in a county that was controlled by Republicans just a decade ago and is seen as an up-and-coming figure in the party.

In Texas, the title of “county judge” is a misnomer. They are not judges in courtrooms but rather presiding officials in their counties who have a big say in spending and are in charge of local emergency response.

Below is the full letter:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.