Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk has returned to work after spending nearly two months at an Arizona clinic for treatment of mental illness.
Hawk was at her office Thursday and released a statement saying she's been working with mental health professionals to ensure that she's healthy. Hawk, who's battled depression, says doctors have decided she was physically ready to return to her job.
"We have decided that I am ready to physically return to my job as the Dallas County District Attorney and continue my commitment of seeking justice on behalf of our community," she said.
It was the third time that Hawk sought inpatient treatment for mental illness since the Republican took office in January 2015.
She checked herself into The Menninger Clinic in Houston on May 20, where she spent about two months last year. She was released in mid-June, then announced she was seeking more inpatient therapy at Sierra Tucson
Hawk's full statement:
"I have been able to work with a team of mental health professionals to aggressively combat my mental illness to ensure that I am healthy. While I have made it a priority to be completely transparent about my fight with this disease, my mental health team and I felt it was important to minimize my exposure to the media while I undergo treatment and refrain from announcing or even setting an official return date.
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"I have had constant contact with my administration and my doctors, especially within the time leading up to today and we have decided that I am ready to physically return to my job as the Dallas County District Attorney and continue my commitment of seeking justice on behalf of our community.
"Maintaining optimal mental health will always be a priority. Mental Illness is a lifelong disease; however, as District Attorney, I am incredibly blessed to have such a strong and supportive administrative team and such incredible attorneys, investigators, and staff who have handled my absence with both grace and professionalism. I look forward to once again working with my staff to make Dallas County safe and thriving."
