Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai announced Monday that she is taking a month-long leave of absence to seek treatment for clinical depression and anxiety.
In a public statement, Chughtai, 28, said she has “ignored my own need for more help for too long” and will participate in a “rigorous outpatient program” to address her mental health.
“I love representing the people of this Ward,” she wrote. “It’s the greatest honor of my life. And that’s why I feel obligated to do so to the best of my abilities. Because of the current state of my mental health, I fear falling short of that obligation. That’s why I’m briefly stepping back.”
Chughtai said her office will remain open and continue serving residents of Minneapolis’ Ward 10 during her leave of absence. She said she expects to miss one City Council meeting which is scheduled for July 16.
The second-term council member said, “I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city.”
Cites challenges of the past year
In her statement, Chughtai said the past year has brought “unique challenges” affecting residents throughout Minneapolis, including “a high-stakes election, several mass shootings, and a federal occupation.”
Chughtai did not elaborate on how those events affected her personally but said, “like 23% of American adults, I also work everyday to manage my mental health.”
“Everyone deserves to feel that they have the space, resources, and support to care for their own basic health, and that includes mental health,” she added.
Transparency about absence
Chughtai said she decided to publicly discuss her leave because constituents “deserve nothing less” than honesty and transparency regarding her absence from City Hall.
“I know that when I return, I’ll be back stronger, ready to form deeper partnerships, and ready to fight even harder for our neighbors,” she wrote.
Chughtai was first elected to the city council in 2021. She is the youngest person ever elected to the council and the first Muslim woman elected to the council. In 2025, she won reelection and was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Twin Cities.
Chughtai represents the neighborhoods of East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown and Whittier.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
