Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk is undergoing additional treatment to battle her depression, her office says Friday.
According to a statement from the District Attorney's Office, she continues to fight the disorder and "she is being proactive with her mental health plan and is determined to stay whole and healthy."
Her office said late Friday that Hawk has voluntarily sought treatment at the Menninger Clinic in Houston. It's the same facility where Hawk was treated for two months in 2015.
When she returned to office from her previous treatment, she sat down for an interview with NBC 5's Meredith Land, in which she detailed her struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide.
"My depression and my anxiety had gotten out of control, and I didn't even realize what it was. All I knew is I didn't want to do this any more. I didn't want to be here any more. I thought about my job and my job was always such a big part of me, and I wanted to do the right thing for that. So I thought I'll resign and then I will just, I'll kill myself," Hawk said in that interview.
Soon after her return to office, Hawk fought a lawsuit to remove her from the job. The suit was thrown out in January.
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"This must be really serious for her to be taking another leave of absence," said former First Assistant District Attorney Heath Harris, who has made no secret he'd like to run for D.A. "But it's not about me wanting that job. It's about getting someone in that position that's capable of doing that job on a day to day basis."
Hawk was elected to office in November 2014, defeating incumbent Craig Watkins.
"I mean, if she had breast cancer and had to be hospitalized and go through breast cancer treatment, there's not one person in this city who would have the guts to tell her she should step down," said George Milner, a friend and political supporter. "Despite whatever illness she is dealing with, the (District Attorney's) office has improved 100-percent over the previous administration. It is night and day different down there."
Hawk was scheduled to be interviewed live on NBC 5 Today Friday morning, but canceled just hours before.
Statement from District Attorney's Office:
Additional Statement from DA's Office:
