Finnish MP Antti Kangas, representing the Finns Party, has announced he will be taking medical leave due to severe burnout, which has manifested through troubling memory issues and public harassment. Kangas, who made the announcement through his TikTok channel on Sunday, has detailed the physical and emotional toll his extensive workload has taken on him over the past year.
During his time as a member of parliament, Kangas has simultaneously managed the demands of his farm and other business ventures, leaving him with little time for personal health. He reflected on his harried schedule, stating, "I have only taken about five days off this year effective due to my parliamentary duties, my farm, and my carbon bonding company." This relentless strain began to take its toll beginning last fall, when he started experiencing significant memory lapses.
Kangas recounts alarming episodes where he would forget basic personal information, even to the extent of crashing at his office because he couldn't recall where he lived. On the TikTok video, he shared, "I didn’t take time off when I should have. I thought I could just push through, but it became unbearable." He revealed he sought medical attention on several occasions, getting advised to take medical leave which he consistently dismissed due to his commitment to his roles.
His decision to announce medical leave followed two serious incidents: the first was when he fell and hit his head shortly before the parliament vote on the government's controversial hospital network proposal. Subsequently, his health tightened; after the incident, he received advisories to refrain from driving and participating actively due to potential concussion symptoms. "Now it's really time to step back and get my health right," he noted.
Adding to his woes, Kangas faced public backlash for his absence during key voting sessions. He expressed his disappointment with the unkind reactions he faced: "There were some harsh words thrown at me, insults even, and I was spat on at the store—it's been quite overwhelming." His comments highlight the distress caused not only by his health issues but by the grim weight of public scorn tied to his political choices.
The hospital network vote intensified political tensions, contributing to the environment of animosity Kangas encountered. According to reports by Keskipohjanmaa, Kangas was one of four representatives from his party who did not support the proposal, which sparked outrage among constituents who were unhappy with his voting record. "There was quite the uproar after my absence, to put it lightly," he admitted with noticeable fatigue.
Despite his leave for health reasons, Kangas has assured his supporters he will continue working on his farm during the holiday season, indicating his unwavering dedication to his enterprises but underscoring the need for balance and recovery. He emphasized, "I have to keep the farm running, but my health truly needs attention. I couldn’t have anticipated the impact my workload would have on my state of mind. Now, I have to take this seriously."
Antti Kangas's saga serves as a somber reminder of the pressures faced by those balancing public service with personal aspirations. With self-care now at the forefront of his agenda, he aims to pave the road to recovery, hoping to return stronger to serve his community effectively.
